Dear john,

This weekend, I hosted House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries in Laredo.

We heard from Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Treviño, Nuevo Laredo Mayor Carmen Lilia Canturosas, Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar, Zapata County Sheriff Raymundo Del Bosque, CBP, and local South Texas landowners on the importance of security, trade, and bilateral relations on the border. We also exchanged “abrazo” with our southern neighbors during the WBCA International Bridge Ceremony. 

I want to thank Leader Jeffries for taking the time to visit Laredo. Through his leadership, I know we will deliver comprehensive, common-sense solutions for our border communities. 

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, my sister, Judge Rosie Cuellar, and my brother, Sheriff Martin Cuellar, attended the 2023 Washington’s Birthday Celebration Señor and Señora Internacional presentation. I recognized this year’s Señora Internacional, International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) Commissioner, De. María-Elena Giner, and Señor Internacional, Mexican Ambassador to the U.S., Esteban Moctezuma, with a Congressional One-Minute and a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol.

I attended the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (AMO) Laredo Air Branch Administration Building groundbreaking ceremony. I secured $27,399,000 for the construction of this 14,236 Square Foot Administration and Operations Building, that will include offices, administration spaces, communications center, break area, training spaces, weapons and ammo storage, support functions, and a fitness center and will accommodate approximately 50 AMO personnel.

My wife, Imelda, and my daughter, Christina, joined me in the WBCA Parade. Thank you to WBCA and your staff for a great event. Enjoy this weekend’s festivities

My wife, Imelda, and my daughter, Christina, and I met with Mexican Ambassador to the United States, Esteban Moctezuma, and his wife, Cecilia Barbara Morfín. Binational relations between the United States and Mexico are important for commerce, trade, and immigration. I will continue to champion efforts to work with our southern neighbors.

My wife, Imelda, my daughter, Christina, and I met with Dr. Maria-Elena Giner, Commissioner for the International Boundary & Water Commission (IBWC) and 2023 Señora Internacional for the Washington’s Birthday Celebration. We were joined by Tricia Cortez and Dr. Tom Vaughn from the Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC), and Laredo City Councilwomen Alyssa Cigarroa and Melissa Cigarroa. We discussed water conservation and how we can work together to protect the Rio Grande.

I announced that the Pleasanton Municipal Airport will receive $600,000 in federal funding for the construction of a new fuel farm to replace the airport’s current, outdated fuel system. The new fuel farm, consisting of two 10,000-gallon tanks and a new JET A fuel tank, will provide a better delivery system and added capacity to service more aircraft. The farm will also offer a self-serve system that can be utilized for helicopters.

My daughter, Christina, my Outreach Coordinator, Melissa Peña, and I attended Career Day at Dr. Henry Cuellar Elementary School in Laredo. It was a great opportunity to tell students about my role in Congress and different ways my office can help in the community. Thank you, Principal Andrea Sanchez and Ms. Briones, for always making us feel at home.

Gustavo Rangel is currently an intern at my Laredo office. Gustavo is a student at Texas A&M International University with a background in marketing and communications. He also aspires to one day become a public servant. Thank you, Gustavo, for your desire to serve!

Robert Bazan currently serves as my Starr and Jim Hogg Counties Outreach Coordinator. Having previously worked for a member of the State Legislature, Robert has expansive experience in public service and is happy to have the opportunity of giving back to his native Starr County. Thank you for you hard work and dedication!

Robert attended the Starr County Health Fair to offer assistance that might be required with any federal agencies. The fair provided free-of-charge health resources to members of the community. 

My Webb County Outreach Coordinator, Marco Salazar, attended a meeting hosted by the No Border Wall Coalition to inform the citizens of El Cenizo of their property rights when it comes to building a wall along the border. 

My Starr County office attended the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Health Pachanga in La Victoria. UTRGV hosted the fair as part of their efforts to expand access to health resources. 

My office attended the Concepcion Senior Citizens Organization Duval County Coronation. Congratulation to everyone who was crowned.