Texas Border Business
Pharr, Texas – Hundreds of local leaders, business partners, and other community organizations were in attendance as Pharr Mayor, Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, hosted the third annual State of the City Address on January 17, 2019. Hernandez, a pediatric surgeon by trade, began his address by proudly announcing that, as Pharr’s primary care provider, “the diagnosis of the state of the city of Pharr is healthy, vibrant and flourishing,” and that “its prognosis is excellent and expected to move forward on a continued path of success.”
During his remarks, Hernandez highlighted significant accomplishments for the previous year and discussed many new projects on the horizon for 2019, including Pharr’s goal of becoming a “smart city” and aspirations to achieve the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award – the nation’s highest presidential honor for performance excellence.
Following a tradition that began in the inaugural State of the City, Hernandez presented the “Polo Palacios Service Award” to a Pharr citizen who embodied the legacy of service set forth by the award’s namesake. This year’s recipient was Dr. Daniel P. King, Superintendent of Schools for Pharr-San Juan-Alamo (PSJA) ISD. According to Hernandez, Dr. King was selected for his legacy of transformational work in the field of education and the impact it has had on the lives of students and families across PSJA ISD.
With excess proceeds from the sponsor-funded event, Hernandez also presented three local nonprofit organizations each with a $5,000 donation. Organizations recognized included Valley Interfaith, Team Mario, and the Knights of Columbus Council #9791.
Hernandez ended the event by inviting Texas Workforce Commissioner Representing Labor, Julian Alvarez onstage for a special announcement. Commissioner Alvarez awarded Dr. King and the PSJA ISD School Board of Trustees with a $280,630 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant. The JET grant program allocates $10 million each biennium to defray start-up costs associated with the development of career and technical education programs to public community and technical colleges and independent school districts.
The City of Pharr and Mayor Hernandez thank everyone for helping make Pharr’s State of the City Address a success.
Working together, let’s continue to imagine!
