Dear john,

In the first month of the 118^th Congress, my bill, the Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act, passed in the House of Representatives.

Small businesses, and the entrepreneurs behind them, are the backbone of the South Texas economy. Rural economies like ours face unique challenges, including a lack of access to capital. I introduced the Act to help rural small business owners start and grow their businesses.

The Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act will ensure we continue to create good-paying jobs across the 28^th District of Texas. I will continue to work hard to help South Texas grow, prosper, and make life better for our families. To read more on the Act, click here.

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

• Washington D.C.:(202) 225 1640
• Laredo: (956) 725-0639
• San Antonio: (210) 271 2851
• Rio Grande City: (956) 424-3942 

My wife, Imelda, my daughter, Christina, and I attended the Latin American Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Laredo.I want to thank my young friend, Andreas Estrella, for helping us present the inductees with Congressional Certificates of Rocognition. Congratulations to all the honorees. It is an honor to have you represent our community at the highest level of athletic competition. I hope your achievements serve as inspiration for younger generations.

I sat down with Jose Luis Carlos Velez from Univision to discuss important national issues ahead of week's State of the Union address. I have always sought to bring sensible, bipartisan solutions to South Texas. I look forward to working with all my colleagues in Congress, Republicans and Democrats alike, on legislation to secure our southern border, expand our children’s education, create good-paying jobs, make healthcare more affordable, lower costs for our families, and revamp our economy. 

Juan Buhigas Palinkasev is currently an intern in my Washington D.C. office. He was born in Spain and grew up in Boznia and Herzegovina before moving to northern Virginia when he was 10 years old.  Juan is in his first year of a Masters in International Affairs Policy and Analysis at American University. He then plans to pursue a career that focuses on homeland security and defense. Thank you, Juan, for your service to my office. 

Eric Cleveland currently works in my San Antonio office as my Constituent Services Representative and Outreach Coordinator. Since college, he has devoted himself to serving his community through acts of service. Eric believes in a hands-on approach to find what the needs in the community are and how we can help. Thank you, Eric for your service.

My daughter, Christina, presented a Congressional Certificate of Recognition to Maria Teresa Cisneros who retired from Lamar Middle School after 34 years of service to Laredo Independent School District. Thank you, Maria, and all our educators at LISD for the work you put in day in and day out. We appreciate you all. 

My daughter, Christina Cuellar, and my office visited the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Public Library in San Ygnacio, Zapata County, to donate books from the Library of Congress. These books are a surplus from the Library of Congress that we hope kids in San Ygnacio will enjoy for years to come. Thank you, Amalia Dominguez, and the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Public Library staff for your service to the community.

My office attended the Consulate General of Mexico’s end of year report in Laredo. Consul General, Juan Carlos Mendoza, reviewed the consulate’s activities and outreach in our community through the last calendar year. Thank you, Consul Mendoza, for your commitment to strengthen the relationship between our two nations. I look forward to continuing our working relationship.

My Starr County Outreach Coordinator, Robert Bazan, attended the San Isidro Independent School District school board meeting. At the meeting, my office presented the members of the board with Congressional Certificates of Recognition in honor of School Board Appreciation Month. I want to thank superintendent, Sara Alvarado, for her leadership and commitment to our children’s education.

My Laredo Outreach Coordinator, Melissa Peña, attended the United Independent School District board meeting in Laredo. In honor of School Board Appreciation Month, I want to thank each of you for your dedicated service. A special thank you to superintendent, David Gonzalez, for the outstanding work he has done during his time at United.