Partnership hosts U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison

WESLACO — U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Dallas emphasized Wednesday the need for teamwork in improving the Rio Grande Valley’s quality of life. She said while the region once was considered "the stepchild of Texas," strides have been made both statewide and federally in improving educational opportunities, water access and foreign relations. Hutchison, the state’s senior Republican senator, credited local and county leaders and state government delegations with uniting to bring money and attention to the region. Verbal accolades volleyed between Hutchison and some of the politicians speaking at the Rio Grande Valley Partnership’s luncheon in her honor at the Villa de Cortez in downtown Weslaco. Weslaco Mayor Joe Sanchez jokingly referred to her as "the new governor of Texas" while U.S. Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, DMercedes, said Hutchison has worked hard to help him get legislation passed on the federal House floor. "We are a team," Hutchison said. "Any time he (Hinojosa) says my district needs this, we go to work." Trainor Evans, owner of bootmaker Rios of Mercedes, said he was glad to hear about state politicians from different parties getting along. "She (Hutchison) literally does not care whether you vote for her or not," he said. "She is the one behind (improving) the colonias. She does it because it is the right thing to do." Hutchison touted the $93 million going annually to Hispanic-serving institutions to aid in academic development. But Hutchison said she wanted to see the amount increase to $100 million next year so nationwide colleges and universities could do more for students and faculty. The news pleased new University of Texas-Pan American President Blandina "Bambi" Cardenas. At the Edinburg university, the funds have helped develop the GEAR UP initiative bringing together career advisement, mentoring, tutoring and other services for high school students interested in pursuing advanced education. Cardenas said the program should be one of the factors helping to increase the university’s enrollment in upcoming years. "UTPA would not be as wellpositioned as it is now without the attention and funding Sen. Hutchison and Rubén Hinojosa have brought," she said. Hutchison advocated a feasibility study to determine if a new dam and reservoir are needed on the Rio Grande to control water during dry times. She also recently introduced the Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources and Conservation Improvement Act of 2004 mandating construction projects in 19 irrigation districts in the region able to help 2 million residents. The senator said she supported parity between Canadian and Mexican visitors entering the United States. Canadians can stay in the country for six months while Mexicans recently were given a 30-day visitation time frame, up from the previous 72 hours by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Evans said Hutchison’s thoughts on people’s comings and goings are fair. "Either shut Canada down or open Mexico up," he said. Charles Bell, a partnership director living in Donna, said the friends and relatives of Valley residents needed to have opportunities to cross the border with as few restrictions as possible. But, he said border protection was still essential in keeping people out wanting to do harm to the United States. Hutchison said better technology is essential for federal personnel to do their jobs along the border. "They (illegal immigrants) come because they are looking for the holes in the system," she said. The senator said she supported the state receiving more than 90.5 cents of every dollar of fuel tax contributed to the federal government. Hutchison said Texas contributes the most money but gets the least of it back. She wants to see 95 cents of every dollar come back to the state’s borders. "We want to stop this cycle," Hutchison said. She wants to get the state $200 million to aid in Interstate 69 and Interstate 35 work. Hutchison said the money is necessary because 80 percent of truck traffic affiliated with the North American Free Trade Agreement enters through Texas. Daniel Perry covers McAllen, Hidalgo and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4454.