Dear john,

Last week, I announced my August District Tour. Throughout this month, I will be participating in Community events, announcing federal grants and Congressionally directed funding awards, meeting with state and local stakeholders, and more throughout the 28th Congressional District of Texas.

I encourage you to join me at an event near you. And if I miss you, my district office staff will visit every city in my district once a month during Neighborhood Office Hours. We will be sure to see you soon!

For more information on my August District Tour, click here.

As always, if you need help with a federal agency, please contact any of my offices:

• Washington, DC: (202) 225-1640
• Laredo: (956) 725-0639
• San Antonio: (210) 271-2851
• Rio Grande City: (956) 487-5603

My daughter, Christina, joined President Biden at the White House to recognize the 2022 World Series Champions, the Houston Astros. Christina had a chance to meet Starting Pitcher Justin Verlander and Manager Dusty Baker.

Thanks for having us, Mr. President. Go ‘Stros!

I announced $1,399,532 in federal funding for Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). $1,199,532 will be used for TAMIU’s Preparing STEM Majors as Outstanding Certified Secondary Mathematics Teachers for South Texas program, and $200,000 will be used for TAMIU’s Track 1 Project. Both awards were provided by the National Science Foundation.

The Preparing STEM Majors as Outstanding Certified Secondary Mathematics Teachers for South Texas program will prepare 37 undergraduate TAMIU STEM students to be mathematics teachers at Laredo Independent School District (LISD) and United Independent School District (UISD). The Track 1 Project will help improve undergraduate engineering student retention through virtual learning and group activities.

An education is the great equalizer. In Congress, I will continue to prioritize our students’ education to ensure they are able to achieve their American Dream. Thank you to Dr. Pablo Arenaz, President of TAMIU, for working with me to secure these important awards from the National Science Foundation.

I announced $1,000,000 in Congressionally directed funding for the renovation of the Zapata County 4-H rodeo arena. The funds will be used to construct an all-weather roping arena roof, bleachers, and restroom facilities.

This funding will ensure our students, our young farmers and ranchers, and our community have a reliable facility to enjoy for livestock-related activities anytime throughout the year. Currently, the lack of shaded cover and limited resources significantly restrict the arena’s usage. The renovations will allow the arena to be used year-round for 4-H activities, Zapata ISD events, and serve as an emergency food and shelter facility, giving Zapata County residents peace of mind knowing they have the facilities to endure times of need.

I will continue to fight for Zapata County in Congress.

On Sunday, I stopped by Sweet Spot in Laredo for some frozen yogurt. While there, I said hello to friends and fellow frozen yogurt connoisseurs. I hope everybody had a restful weekend!

I announced $1,400,000 in Congressionally directed funding for Laredo College’s Veterans Center of Excellence. The funds will be used to renovate Laredo College’s Guard House building with new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, building infrastructure, and student equipment to create a central hub for veterans and their families.

The Veterans Center of Excellence will serve as a one-stop facility offering a wide range of academic and career services to veterans and their dependents attending Laredo College. These include:

• Internship and job placement;
• Academic tutoring;
• Workforce scheduling support services;
• Financial aid assistance;
• Mental health counseling;
• Early enrollment services; and,
• Veteran peer-to-peer mentoring.

The transition from military service to civilian life can sometimes be a daunting task. The new Veterans Center of Excellence will enable our veterans to successfully complete this transition and continue serving our country in new and meaningful ways. I look forward to continuing to build a future where our veterans thrive and lead in the civilian world just as they did in service. Thank you to Laredo College President Dr. Minita Ramirez and the Laredo College Board of Trustees for working with me to secure this federal earmark. And to our veterans, thank you for your service!

I announced $1,000,000 in Congressionally directed funding for the new Jim Hogg County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The funds will be used to provide Jim Hogg County’s fire department, emergency medical services, and emergency management services with a dedicated facility to respond to emergencies and major disasters.

The new EOC will enable first responders to provide Jim Hogg County’s residents more efficient emergency services and faster response times. With the nearest hospital approximately 1 hour away from Jim Hogg County, quick emergency response times are crucial.

With this new facility, Jim Hogg County residents can have peace of mind knowing they benefit from improved emergency preparedness, safety, and assistance. Thank you to Jim Hogg County Judge Juan Carlos Guerra and Jim Hogg County Commissioners Antonio Flores III, Abelardo Alaniz, Sandalio Ruiz, and Cynthia Guerra Betancourt for working with me to secure this Congressionally directed funding. To our first responders, including our police and firefighters, thank you for your service!

I secured $2,850,148 in federal funding for broadband internet at South Texas College (STC). The funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Connecting Minority Communities (CMC) Pilot Program and will be used to improve broadband internet access across all STC campuses.

Specifically, the funds will be used to:

• Upgrade fiber-optic connections between STC’s Starr County Campus, Mid-Valley Campus, and the Information Technology Hub;
• Convert connections from analog to digital at the Mid-Valley Campus and Information Technology Hub;
• Install new desktop software across all campuses; and,
• Provide internet hotspots for 350 students.

In the 21^st Century, internet connectivity is critical for education. This federal investment for South Texas College will ensure its 26,562 students have the broadband internet they need to learn, communicate, and access educational information as they work towards their degrees. In Congress, I will continue to fight for South Texas College and our students. Thank you to South Texas College President Dr. Ricardo Solis and Board of Trustees Chair Rose Benavidez for working with me to secure this federal funding and enable our students to unlock their fullest potential.

My Starr County office joined United Way of South Texas for their annual Back-to-School “In Style” Shopping Spree. 150 middle school students received new school clothing, backpacks, personal hygiene items, school supplies, and haircuts.

Thank you for hosting an incredible event!

My Laredo Outreach Coordinator, Melissa Pena, attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for Phase 3 of the Springfield Avenue Extension Project. The new roadway began construction in November of 2021 and runs from Shiloh Drive to Divine Mercy Park.

Thank you to Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino and the City of Laredo for inviting my office to join you for this momentous occasion.

My Starr County office hosted Neighborhood Office Hours in Roma, Escobares, La Rosita, and San Isidro.

Once a month, my district office will visit every city in TX-28. For a full calendar of Neighborhood Office Hours, click here. 

My San Antonio Outreach Coordinator, Aspen Walker, attended the City of Marion’s 87th Annual Sausage Supper hosted by the Marion Volunteer Fire Department and the Greater Marion Area Chamber of Commerce. Aspen presented Congressional Certificates of Recognition to Chief Jeremy Davenport, Chamber President Karina Garner, and Chamber Treasurer Cheryl Cielencki for their efforts in organizing this year’s event.

I hope everyone had a chance to enjoy the food and fun!

Texas A&M International gets $1.4M for STEM scholarships, funds (lmtonline.com)

$1M for the Renovation of the Zapata County 4-H Rodeo Arena - Texas Border Business

Millions in Federal Funding Awarded to STC to Break Digital Barriers - Texas Border Business

$1.4M announced for Veterans Center of Excellence at Laredo College (lmtonline.com)

Colegio de Laredo tendrá Centro de Excelencia para Veteranos - El Mañana de Nuevo Laredo (elmanana.com.mx)

Transportation advocates recognize Rep. Cuellar for support of projects across Texas (kgns.tv)

Everything Congressman Cuellar said at his gathering with transportation leaders in Laredo – Rio Grande Guardian

TAMIU receives nearly $1.4 million for STEM student efforts (kgns.tv)

One of my priorities in Congress is to improve the quality of life for South Texans. This week, I’d like to share with you several grant opportunities for human services that my office can help with:

• Humanities Collections and Reference Resources

  • The Humanities Collections and Reference Resource program supports projects that provide an essential underpinning for scholarship, education, and public engagement in the humanities.

• Public Impact Projects at Smaller Organizations

  • The Public Impact Projects at Smaller Organizations program supports small and mid-sized museums and cultural organizations in the creation of public humanities programming and strengthens their capacity to develop such programming.

For more information, click here.

My office is coming to your neighborhood! My staff will be in your city every month to offer you help. Click on the link below to view dates, times, and locations where you can meet with a member of my staff:

Neighborhood Office Hours | Rep. Henry Cuellar (house.gov)