Friend,

Earlier this month, I was lucky to spend time with brilliant high school students who participated in my office’s annual Congressional Art Competition. This year, 109 students from 14 San Antonio high schools submitted artwork and I was blown away by their creativity. 

Mariela Peña, a senior at the International School of the Americas, won first place for her piece “Mirror of Comparison.” Mariela’s piece is a self-portrait of her and her sister showing how (as she told us) teenage girls can compare themselves to other people because of the insecurities of adolescence.

Leah Joiner, a junior at John Jay High School, won second place for her piece “Quilled Garden.” Leah’s work was an especially creative endeavor, using coiled paper strips to showcase the natural world.

Claire Gaedecke, a senior at John Jay High School, won third place for her piece “Untitled.” Claire told us her work represents the emotions surrounding body image.

Congratulations to the winners, all the competing artists, and the art teachers who encouraged them!

News for San Antonio 

Preventing Mail Delays: Earlier this year, USPS launched a new plan for mail delivery in Houston that led to widespread delays. Several weeks later, after USPS announced a similar plan for San Antonio, I wrote to the U.S. Postmaster General and asked him to pause the transition until USPS can guarantee that our mail delivery won’t be disrupted. This week, USPS told my office that it won't move forward with the transition for the time being - a big win for San Antonio!

San Antonians depends on USPS for everything from paychecks to packages, and everyone should be able to rely on the postal service. Over the last few years, my office has pushed back against harmful changes at USPS that affected workers and consumers. If you need help with mail delivery, please give my office a call at 210-348-8216.

Airport Safety and Convenience: San Antonio is a world-class city, and we deserve a world-class airport that is safe and convenient for all travelers. 

In the San Antonio area, the number of technicians who work on the flight radar systems recently dropped from four to one, raising the risk of flight delays and cancellations. In April, I wrote to the federal agency that regulates airlines and airports, asking them to hire more staff to keep the skies over South Texas safe.

Congress also just voted to approve new flight slots to Ronald Reagan International Airport, the closest airport to Washington, D.C. Every year, San Antonio’s servicemembers, cybersecurity professionals, and business travelers spend hours stuck on layovers on their way to the Pentagon and the nation’s capital, and they deserve better. After President Biden signs our bill into law, I look forward to working to get San Antonio one of the newly-approved direct flights.

News from Washington

Health Care for DACA Recipients: Recently, President Biden announced that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients will be eligible to enroll in affordable health care coverage through Healthcare.gov starting this November.

Over the last twelve years, the DACA program has allowed hundreds of thousands of first-generation Americans to live and work legally in the only country many of them have ever known. These young Americans pay taxes to support our health care system, but until now, they haven’t been eligible for affordable care.

The COVID-19 pandemic showed that all of us are safer when everyone can get the care they need. I’ve been pushing to expand health care for DACA recipients for years, and I’m glad to see President Biden make this decision.

Keeping Our Kids Healthy and Safe: After reports surfaced of lead-tainted applesauce and Lunchables in Texas and across the country, I joined other members of the Congressional Dads Caucus to demand an explanation from the FDA.

No parent should ever have to worry that their child’s food is contaminated, and I want to make sure this never happens again.

Celebrating Diversity: In April, I had the privilege to host Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai and his wife Mrs. Rachel Sakai as my guests for an address to Congress by Japanese Prime Minister Kishida.

As co-chair of the U.S.-Japan Caucus in the House of Representatives, I've been glad to advocate for Japanese investments that create jobs in Bexar County. Judge Sakai has been a trailblazer for Asian American representation in Bexar County. During Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, I’m glad to recognize him and the countless others in our community who have contributed so much.

May is also Jewish American Heritage Month, a time to recognize the achievements and culture of Jewish Americans in San Antonio and around the country and to renew our commitment to standing against antisemitism and hate in all forms.

National Recording Registry: Last fall, I asked for your suggestions about songs by Latino musicians that should become part of the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry, which archives the sounds that have shaped American life. 

My office received hundreds of suggestions spanning styles and eras. Last month, I was excited to learn that two songs by musicians I nominated – “Amor Eterno” by Juan Gabriel and “El Cantante” by Héctor Lavoe – were added to the Registry!

Over the last few years, I’ve worked to improve Latino representation in our nation’s archives and cultural heritage. I’m glad to see “Amor Eterno” and “El Cantante” preserved for generations to come.

Around Town

Last month, I told you about the $12 million in funding that my office got for community projects around our district. In late April, I joined SAMMinistries to celebrate the impact of that funding for their Transitional Living and Learning Center (TLLC), which provides shelter and assistance to families struggling with homelessness in the San Antonio area. I’m proud that this funding will help make the TLLC more comfortable and welcoming for residents.

I was also able to join seniors at the South San Civic Center to celebrate new funding that I got renovate the facility. The South San Civic Center serves seniors and families in southwest Bexar County and provides them with a home away from home. I’m proud that this funding will help make the space more accessible for folks with disabilities.

Earlier this month, Team Castro attended San Antonio ISD’s State of the District, which was fully organized and led by a student advisory committee. The event was a chance to hear about the district’s accomplishments & challenges from a student perspective.  

Get in Touch  

My San Antonio and Washington D.C. offices are open to help residents of San Antonio with issues involving the federal government.  

To share your views on policy, request a Capitol tour, or get in touch regarding other matters in Washington, call 202-225-3236.  
  
To get help with a federal agency or get in touch regarding other matters in San Antonio, call 210-348-8216.

Sincerely,

Joaquin Castro
Member of Congress