Dear john,
This week, Congress is back in session. I enjoyed traveling the 28th Congressional of Texas in August and meeting with local leaders and constituents. As I return to DC, I will continue to work hard and produce real results for South Texas families.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve you in Congress.
As always, if you need assistance, 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
|
Thank you to Texas credit unions Credit Human and Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union for visiting me in my Washington, DC office. More than 10.3 million Texans are credit union members, and approximately 280,000 reside in the 28th Congressional District of Texas.
I will continue to support Texas credit unions in Congress. |
I had lunch with South Texas customs brokers Arturo Dominguez, Eduardo Lozano, Victoria Nichols, JD Gonzalez, Ray Reyes, and Robert Vale.
Thank you for stopping by! I hope you enjoy your time in our nation’s capital. |
|
It was great to meet with Robert Vale, Arturo Dominguez, JD Gonzalez, Lance Jungmeyer, the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, and the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas in my Washington, DC office.
As a former customs broker myself, I know the value of customs brokers and the important services they provide, especially for our nation’s produce importers. |
|
I announced $9,226,700 in federal funding for Barrio Comprehensive Family Health Care Center (CommuniCare). The funds will enhance the clinic’s capabilities to provide accessible healthcare for over 13,000 patients in San Antonio.
Specifically, the funding was provided by three separate awards: $7,813,926 from the Health Center Cluster Grant Program, $1,176,342 from the FY21 Ending the HIV Epidemic-Primary Care HIV Prevention Program, and $236,432 from the FY23 Bridge Access Program.
Together, these funds will enable Barrio Comprehensive Family Health Care Center to ensure all 27 of its centers run their operations smoothly, provide essential healthcare services for both insured and uninsured patients, and improve access to HIV preventative care. This includes providing: - COVID-19 vaccinations;
- Children's healthcare;
- Dental care;
- Adult care services;
- Mental health care;
- Pharmacy services; and,
- Wellness education.
Community health centers provide care to many South Texans. Barrio Comprehensive Family Health Care Center is no exception. I encourage San Antonians to take full advantage of the resources offered by Barrio. In Congress, I will continue to fight for expanded access to affordable, quality healthcare. |
Thank you to UT Health San Antonio (UTHSCSA) for hosting me for a Congressional roundtable.
UTHSCSA President William Henrich assembled a panel of Doctors and Professors to discuss the groundbreaking research the university is doing to combat Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases. South Texas is very fortunate to have the UTHSCSA Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases in its backyard.
In Congress, will continue to advocate for Alzheimer’s and brain disease research. |
I joined the Texas Restaurant Association for a roundtable with local restauranteurs at Little Red Barn Steakhouse in San Antonio.
In my district, there are approximately 1,111 restaurants and 23,682 restaurant employees. As of 2022, Texas has approximately 54,685 restaurants, which generated $95.1 billion in sales. And every dollar spent in Texas restaurants contributed $2.35 to the state economy.
Restaurants are an important economic driver for South Texas. In Congress, I will continue to advocate for our restaurants. Thank you to Dawn Ann Larios, Executive Director for the Texas Restaurant Association (West Texas Region), the San Antonio Chapter - Texas Restaurant Association, Pete Cortez of La Familia Cortez Restaurants, Louis Barrios of Los Barrios Mexican Restaurant, JR Treviño, Interim President & CEO of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the many local restaurants owners in attendance for hosting me.
The food at Little Red Barn Steakhouse, courtesy of Marisa Garcia, Marissita Garcia, and Tomas Garcia, was delicious! |
I announced $12,551,420 in federal funding for the Webb County Head Start and Early Head Start Programs.
The funds will provide comprehensive, high-quality early education and family support services to a total of 1,362 children from birth through the age of five. This includes: - Dental and vision services;
- Mental health resources;
- Family and community strengthening; and,
- Services for children with disabilities.
Since 2019, Webb County’s Head Start and Early Head Start Programs have received over $56 million.
Our children are our nation’s greatest investment. Research has shown that children who participate in Head Start and Early Head Start Programs experience significant gains in cognitive and social-emotional development, especially for families whose access to quality early education is limited. I am committed to giving every child in our community the opportunity to succeed. Thank you to Aliza Oliveros, Webb County Head Start Director, and the Webb County Commissioners for working with me to secure these funds for our children. |
I hosted a PACT Act resource fair with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Texas Veterans Commission. Held at the UT Education & Research Center at Laredo, representatives from the VA and the Texas Veterans Commission provided an overview of PACT Act benefits, application assistance, and on-the-spot enrollment for local veterans.
Signed into law in August 2022, the PACT Act is the largest expansion of veteran health care and benefits in generations. The law provides benefits for millions of veterans of the Vietnam War, Gulf War and post-9/11 eras who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxins while serving our country — and their survivors.
Our veterans sacrificed so much to defend our nation, and we are eternally indebted to them. Last year, I voted for the PACT Act to deliver much-needed relief for South Texas veterans. I will continue to fight for them just as they fought for us. Thank you to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Texas Veterans Commission for working with me to put on a successful resource fair. And to our veterans, thank you for your service! |
I toured the Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care facility in Laredo. I appreciated the opportunity to say hello to the Las Alturas residents and see firsthand the great care they receive.
Thank you to Executive Director Ubaldo Santana and his team for hosting me! |
|
Congratulations to my good friend, Francisco “Pancho” Ochoa, his wife, Freida, and sons, Tin and Carlos, on the grand opening of the new Taco Palenque location in Laredo.
Taco Palenque serves some of the best Mexican food in South Texas, and I know our community will continue to savor its cuisine. Again, congratulations! |
|
Thank you to Laramie Adams and the Texas Farm Bureau for hosting me for lunch in Laredo.
Agriculture is an important part of our community. South Texas farmers and ranchers keep our nation fed and contribute significantly to our economy. I look forward to passing this year’s Farm Bill and delivering for South Texas agriculture. |
|
My Laredo Outreach Coordinator, Melissa Peña, joined 1st Lieutenant Richard Hanson to visit several schools in Laredo and discuss the United States Military Academy application process.
If you know a student interested in a Military Academy, please contact my office. |
|
My office held Neighborhood Office Hours in San Isidro and Hebbronville.
Once a month, my office will visit every city within TX-28. For more information, including a full schedule of dates, times, and locations of where my office will be, please click here. |
|
My Atascosa County Outreach Coordinator, Zayd Jendoubi, attended the Poteet Splash Park groundbreaking ceremony.
Thank you to Poteet Mayor Denise Sanchez and City Administrator Melissa Popham for inviting my office to join you for this momentous occasion. |
|
Thank you to the San Antonio Mobility Coalition (SAMCo) for inviting my San Antonio Outreach Coordinator, Toro Martinez, to your State of the District with TxDOT.
I look forward to working with you on future mobility and transportation solutions for San Antonio. |
|
My Bexar County Outreach Coordinator, Aspen Walker, attended the City of Live Oak’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, hosted by the Live Oak Fire Department. Thank you to Live Oak Mayor Mary Dennis, City Councilman Ed Cimics, and Fire Chief Linc Surber for inviting my office to join you in remembering September 11, 2001.
We will never forget. |
|
Melissa also attended a 9/11 memorial ceremony held by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge. The ceremony honored the souls lost on September 11, 2001, including the heroic first responders who risked their lives to save others.
Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. Let us always remember their bravery and resilience. |
|
I am grateful and honored to have been invited by LISD Superintendent, Dr. Sylvia Rios, to the VMT School of Communications and Fine Arts Patriot's Day Commemoration.
Thank you, Laredo ISD, for paying tribute to our heroes and reflecting on the importance of this day. |
|
Toro visited the gravesite of Lt. Col. Karen Wagner and attended a performance of Taps at Judson High School in her memory.
Lt. Col. Wagner was a 1979 graduate of Judson High School who died on September 11, 2001, during the attack on the Pentagon. She is dearly missed. |
|
Toro also attended the 9/11 wreath presentation and flag ceremony at Bexar County Constable Kat Brown’s office.
Thank you, Constable Brown, for inviting my office to join you in remembering the lives lost on September 11, 2001. |
|
Lace up your running shoes, Laredo! The city’s Runway 5K and 1-Mile run event will take place on October 7, 2023.
It's a fantastic opportunity to embrace a healthy lifestyle, enjoy some friendly competition, and experience the thrill of running on the city's runway! Thank you to Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino for inviting my office to join you for this special announcement. |
|
Congratulations to Premier Monuments of Laredo on the grand opening of their new facility.
Their dedication to craftsmanship in honoring loved ones is truly commendable. I wish you many years of providing beautiful and meaningful tributes to our loved ones! |
|
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 health and nutrition grant opportunities that my office can help with: - Field-Deployable, Low-Cost Point-of-Need Approaches and Technologies to Lower the Barriers to Substance Use Disorders (SUD) Diagnosis and Treatment
- The funding opportunity announcement intends to spur the development of cost-effective technologies that may reduce or even eliminate disparities in substance use disorders treatment.
- Specialized Alcohol Research Centers
- The overall purpose of the Alcohol Research Center program is to provide leadership in conducting and fostering interdisciplinary, collaborative research on a wide variety of topics relevant to the Institute's mission.
- Molecular Atlas of Lung Development Program
- The objective of the Molecular Atlas of Lung Development program is to build a comprehensive molecular and cellular atlas of the human lung to serve as a reference platform to understand both normal biology and disease pathobiology better and to identify critical cellular components, molecular pathways, and novel therapeutic targets in lung disease.
- Limited Competition for the Continuation of the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network (NASH CRN)
- The purpose of this limited competition notice of funding opportunity is to continue the support of the Clinical Sites of the NASH Clinical Research Network as they complete active clinical treatment trials and continue to longitudinally gather biospecimens and data of children and adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease including steatosis, steatohepatitis, and cirrhosis.
- Continuation of the Childhood Liver Disease Research Network (ChiLDReN) Scientific and Data Coordinating Center
- This funding opportunity announcement aims to continue supporting the Childhood Liver Disease Research Network to conduct clinical and translational research on rare pediatric liver diseases.
- Approaches to Identifying Preteen Suicide Risk and Protective Factors
- This initiative aims to bolster research on preteen suicide by developing models that elucidate the progression from risk factors to self-harm and suicide attempts, pinpoint protective factors for altering risk trajectories, and identify intervention opportunities, timing, and scalable assessment methods with clinical applicability to assess both risk and protective factors related to suicide risk in preteen individuals.
For more information, click here. |
For more information on available federal grant opportunities, visit my website or contact my Grants Coordinator, Randy Aguilar, at [email protected]. |
|
