Friend,

I hope you had a great summer and managed to stay out of the heat as much as possible. If your family is celebrating the first days of school this month, I wish you a great start to the year. 
 
PSA: Check Your Voter Registration

The November election is less than 100 days away, and the voter registration deadline in Texas is October 7, 2024. According to the Texas Secretary of State, more than 2 million people (12% of our state's voters) currently have their registration in a "suspense" status, which means that your county has not been able to verify where you live.

After two general elections on the "suspense" list, you will be removed from the Texas voter rolls, so it's important to check your status and verify that your voter registration is still active. Before October 7th, please be sure to check your registration here and make sure that your address is correct to avoid any issues at the polls. 
 
Honoring Our PACT to Texas Veterans 
 
This month, my office is celebrating the second anniversary of the Honoring Our PACT Act, the largest expansion of VA benefits in decades. 
 
For generations, American veterans have come home with invisible injuries from the toxic chemicals used during wartime. When these heroes became sick with cancer or other illnesses, it was often an uphill battle to get the care they needed. 
 
Nearly a decade ago, I started working with a coalition of Texas veterans who became sick from burn pits in the Middle East or Agent Orange exposure during earlier wars. Together, we pushed Congress to do the right thing.

Starting in 2017, my office held a series of events in Washington D.C. and Texas to raise awareness about the toll of burn pit exposure. This event was organized with Burn Pits 360, a group founded by Le Roy and Rosie Torres, a South Texas couple who know the impact of burn pits firsthand.

In August 2022, with the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, our efforts became law with the passage of the Honoring Our PACT Act, a historic bill that expanded VA benefits and services to millions of veterans and survivors. Since then, more than 1 million veterans have received the benefits they deserve.  
 
If you or someone you know was exposed to toxins during military service, applications for PACT Act benefits are still open. Click here to learn more. 
 
If you submitted a PACT Act Intent To File (ITF) last year, you must complete your claim within a year of submitting that ITF to be eligible for backdated benefits.

Visit www.VA.gov/PACT to check the status of your claim. 
 
Traveling Soon? 
 
RSVP for my September Travel Fair 
 
To help families get ahead of the busy travel season, my office is hosting a Travel Fair on Saturday, September 14 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. During the fair, attendees can apply for a passport, enroll in TSA Pre-Check, or interview for Global Entry (with some restrictions).

The Travel Fair is open to the public, but appointments are required. To reserve your spot, please call my district office at 210-348-8216. The location of the Travel Fair will be finalized within the next several weeks. 
 
New Passport Services are Coming to San Antonio 
 
This summer, after years of pushing to bring more federal services to San Antonio, I was proud to announce that our city has been selected as one of six new locations for a new U.S. passport agency. When the agency opens, you’ll be able to get passport services year-round without driving to Houston or Dallas. Opening date and location to be announced. 
 
What Songs and Albums by Latino Artists Do You Love? 
 
Every year, the Library of Congress chooses 25 recordings with historic and cultural significance to honor in the National Recording Registry. Despite the incredible cultural contributions of Latino artists, less than five percent of works on the Registry come from Latino musicians. I’m working to change that – but I need your help! 
 
For the last two years, I’ve submitted annual lists of great songs and albums by Latino musicians for consideration by the Library of Congress. Last year, I was proud to see two of my nominations, Juan Gabriel’s “Amor Eterno” and Héctor Lavoe’s “El Cantante” selected for induction. I’m hoping to get even more added this year. 
 
Submit your favorites here by August 22nd to shape my nomination list. You can submit as many songs and albums as you want, but the music must be at least 10 years old to qualify. 
 
Celebrating Our Future Service Members 
 
 
This summer, my office held an awards ceremony to celebrate the nine San Antonio students who earned admission to military service academies and other military education programs. I was proud to nominate these students earlier this year, and I know all of them will serve our country with leadership and strength. If you know a student interested in applying to a military service academy, you can click here to learn more about my nomination process. 
 
Around Town
 

I joined the Westwood Square Neighborhood Association for a screening of “Remembering Gus Garcia,” a documentary about the famed South Texas lawyer who took his fight for Latino civil rights all the way to the Supreme Court. 

Pride is always a fun time in San Antonio! Thank you to the organizers who plan a great festival every year. Y’all means all! 

Reaching Out 
 
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