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Congressman Reyes to be featured speaker at Annual Border Security Conference
in El Paso
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Assistant to the President John Brennan, Assistant Secretary Alan Bersin, Assistant Secretary John Morton, ATF Director Kenneth Melson, U.S. Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar to join Chairman Silvestre Reyes in El Paso
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) today announced that he will join Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Assistant to the President John Brennan, Assistant Secretary Alan Bersin, Assistant Secretary John Morton, ATF Director Kenneth Melson, and U.S. Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar at the Annual Border Security Conference at the University of Texas at El Paso on August 10 - 11, 2009. As Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Congressman Reyes is deeply engaged in border security policy and will highlight the progress made between the United States and Mexico through the Merida Initiative and the work being done to create a comprehensive homeland security strategy.
"I am pleased that Secretary Napolitano and other high-ranking officials have accepted my invitation to come to El Paso," Congressman Reyes said. "As the largest border community in the world, the El Paso/Juarez region is the ideal location to bring together top leaders from the U.S. and Mexico to address the many border security issues that continue to challenge communities such as ours. As policymakers wrestle with issues such as Mexico’s drug-related violence, comprehensive immigration reform, and bi-national trade in the current recession, this year’s Border Security Conference is coming at a critical time and promises to be very informative."
"El Paso, the largest bi-national metroplex in the world, is where the many challenges and opportunities of the U.S.-Mexico border are most salient," UTEP President Diana Natalicio said. "The University of Texas at El Paso, with its border location, student demographics, academic programs, research infrastructure and productive relationships with educational institutions in Mexico, offers an ideal context to share perspectives and promote cross-border conversations on the many issues surrounding security in this border region. UTEP is pleased to continue contributing to this critically important dialogue.”
Now in its sixth year, the widely-attended Annual Border Security Conference in El Paso has featured top national security officials such as former DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff, former Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell, former CIA Director Michael Hayden, FBI Director Robert Mueller, and many others. Congressman Silvestre Reyes has worked to bring together leaders from both the U.S. and Mexico.
Congressman Reyes Launches Interactive 'El Paso Recovery' Map
Residents can see American Recovery Act in action in El Paso
WASHINGTON, D.C. - El Pasoans can now track the progress of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in the community using a new interactive map provided by the Office of Congressman Silvestre Reyes that pinpoints where federal stimulus dollars are being spent locally. Since the Recovery Act was signed into law in February, the El Paso community has been awarded over $500 million for a variety of projects and programs throughout the city. The El Paso Recovery Map is available here.
“The American Recovery Act is funding many important projects and programs in the community and throughout the country, and this new map is a great tool that gives residents the ability to track the local projects that were made possible by this historic legislation,” Congressman Reyes said.
To date, El Paso-area school districts have received over $100 million in Recovery Act funds for Title I and special education. The largest infrastructure investment from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for El Paso will be the construction of four ramps connecting Loop 375 and Interstate 10 in east El Paso, which will have a total cost of $146 million, with about $97 million coming from the ARRA. Fort Bliss, the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), the City of El Paso, and others have also received millions in Recovery funds.
To view the El Paso Recovery Map and the list of projects and programs funding by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act click here.
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Congressman Silvestre Reyes is recognized by the U.S. Army for his work in Congress (May 19, 2009)
Latest news from Congressman Reyes
House-passed Defense bill includes over $800 million for Fort Bliss growth, language to preserve Castner Range (6/17/2009)
El Paso to receive over $5.3 million to enhance emergency preparedness, support first responders (6/17/2009)
Reyes bill to name El Paso federal courthouse in honor of late Judge Albert Armendariz passes Committee (6/4/2009)
Reyes announces over $1.4 million in Homeland Security grants for the El Paso-area to increase border security 6/4/2009)
Reyes announces El Paso one of five cities in U.S. to receive new passport issuing agency (5/20/2009)
Congressman Reyes promotes literacy at the El Paso Public Library's Westside Branch (July 2, 2009)
Latest video
Congressman Reyes speaks on the House Floor to congratulate the U.S. Border Patrol on its 85th anniversary (June 9, 2009)
Click here for a list of the latest federal grants secured for El Paso!
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