I also heard testimony from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell. When disasters hit, like hurricanes or wildfires, FEMA is first on the ground to get back life back to normal. I look forward to continuing our work with FEMA and Administrative Criswell for effective and efficient responses to disasters in South Texas.

I attended the Northeast Partnership's (NEP) April meeting in Universal City. It is important that we continue to work together at the local, state, and federal level to ensure that Guadalupe County continues to prosper.

Thank you to all the mayors, public officials, and other community members for their continued partnership to improve the quality of life for residents of Guadalupe County. I look forward to continuing our work together!

I also attended the groundbreaking for the construction of the new Rio Grande City Public Safety Building and Emergency Shelter. I secured a $2,509,264 federal earmark that will cover approximately 35% of the $7,100,000 project. The shelter will consolidate police, fire, and emergency dispatch services in a single facility, provide emergency shelter provisions, training for first responders, and act as a centralized hub for first responders to coordinate in the event of an emergency.

I announced a $660,000 federal earmark for the Zapata County Sheriff's Department Headquarters. The funding will support upgrades to the headquarters with the addition of interview rooms, an evidence room, a records room, and an expansion of available workspace. Additionally, the funding will also support new technology and equipment for the patrol room, investigators aisle, and basic equipment and furniture upgrades for support staff.

I participated in the 2023 Poteet Strawberry Festival Parade. A more than 75-year old tradition, this live music and entertainment festival serves the local Atascosa County community and is supported by countless volunteers that put in hours of hard work. A big thank you to all the sponsors and the entire community for making this year’s festival another success.

I visited the Nuevo León side of the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge with State of Nuevo León Regional Development Secretary and Port of Colombia Director, Marco Antonio Gonzalez. The Governor of Nuevo León, Samuel Garcia, has made a commitment to make the port of Colombia one of the safest and most efficient land ports along the U.S./Mexico border though significant investments in security and infrastructure. This transformational project will bring numerous economic benefits to both South Texas and Nuevo León.

I visited Honore Ligarde Elementary School in Laredo for career day. I had the opportunity to talk to students about my upbringing, my work as their Representative in Washington, and the importance of furthering their education. Thank you to Principal Erika Ramirez and Assistant Principal Laura Jasso for the invitation. I had a great time!

On my way back to Laredo from the Poteet Strawberry Festival Parade, I stopped for lunch with some friends in Leming. I highly recommend their strawberry shortcake and brisket tacos.

Thank you for the warm hospitality!

Thank you to the American Petroleum Institute (API) and Bobby Waid for inviting me to speak at the 2023 International Trade & Customs Conference in San Antonio. I will continue supporting legislation that finds a balance between securing the border and maximizing trade.

My wife, Imelda Cuellar, attended the local AARP picnic at Mi Ranchito Hall at Laredo's Lake Casa Blanca Park.

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 years-old and older to choose how they live as they age.

Thank you AARP for hosting the gathering!

My Laredo Outreach Coordinator, Melissa Peña, attended this month’s Laredo Sector Border Patrol Youth of the Month ceremony at Alexander High School.

These young men and women have excelled in academics while demonstrating leadership within their classrooms. Congratulations - we are proud of you! A big thank you to U.S. Border Patrol and all the sponsors for honoring these rising stars.

My San Antonio Outreach Coordinator, Eric Cleveland, joined U.S. Army Captain Kelechi Odocha in a presentation on the U.S. Military Academy application process for high school students. If you or anyone you know is interested in applying to a U.S. Military Academy, please contact my office. Thank you, Captain Odocha, for working with my office!

My Starr County Outreach Coordinators, Robert Bazan and Alexis Gallegos, attended the San Isidro ISD Health Fair.

The fair provided free-of-charge health resources to members of the community. Thank you to San Isidro ISD for organizing the event!

My Bexar County Outreach Coordinator, Jesus "Toro" Martinez, attended the groundbreaking for the Bexar County Pct. 4 Service Center.

This new building will house the County Tax Assessor, the Justice of the Peace, and constables. I look forward to seeing the new state-of-the-art service center!

My Laredo Outreach Coordinator, Melissa Peña, attended the groundbreaking for the Arturo Benavides Park Splash Pad. The splash pad was partially funded by federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds that I helped secure. Thank you to the City of Laredo for bringing this project to fruition!

My San Antonio Outreach Coordinator, Eric Cleveland, attended San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg's State of the City Address.

I look forward to continuing our work with the City of San Antonio and Mayor Nirenberg!

Toro also attended this month's Atascosa Citizens in Action meeting.

Every month, Atascosa citizens meet to exchange ideas and information that help implement plans to better serve the community. Thank you for your collaboration!

My Laredo office attended the unveiling of the new logo for Keep Laredo Beautiful.

Keep Laredo Beautiful (KLB) is a non-profit organization established by the City of Laredo. The organization was born from a concept within the City’s strategic plan in the early 2000s that stated: “create and implement a comprehensive plan for a trash-free city.”

Toro visited the City of Pleasanton's Public Library. There, he met with constituents from the area who requested assistance with a federal agency.

If you or a loved one need help with a federal agency, please contact my office.

Eric also attended a job fair at Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA). The fair was held to provide jobs to both veterans and civilians who are interested in working at JBSA.

Thank you for providing employment opportunities for members of our community!