Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON— The Border Trade Alliance (BTA) recently honored Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) with the “Friend of the Americas” Award during their conference “Building A Competitive U.S.- Mexico Border,” on August 30th in Mexico City. Working with entities throughout Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the BTA advocates on behalf of policies and initiatives designed to bolster border affairs and trade relations among the three trade partners. The BTA presents the award to those individuals who demonstrate exemplary leadership on issues that span borders and promote commerce and cooperation.
During his time in the Texas State Legislature and in Congress, Rep. Cuellar has worked to improve the efficiency of and reduce congestion at our ports of entry while securing our borders. He has also made it a priority to foster free trade and promote NAFTA, along with other free trade policies that benefit border communities. Currently, Laredo, Texas is the only place in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Mexican Customs, have joint inspection operations for all modes of transportation: the World Trade Bridge (land), Laredo International Airport (air), and the joint Unified Cargo Processing facility at the Laredo, Texas railroad border crossing (rail). Through the passage of the Cross Border Trade Enhancement Act of 2016, Congressman Cuellar in a joint effort with Senator Cornyn ensured CBP, the private sector, and state and local governments have the ability to find innovative solutions for capital improvement requirements at our nation’s ports of entry. He also helped include $223 million in the FY19 Department of Homeland Security spending bill to accelerate CBP’s efforts to deploy multi-lane non-intrusive inspection platforms that can safely automate the inspection process at primary inspection lanes, making processing of cargo more efficient.
“The relationship between the United States and Mexico runs deep and bridges commercial, cultural, and educational divides,” said Congressman Cuellar. “As a lifelong member of the border community, it is an honor to receive this award. I am committed to elevate our cross-border relationships and strengthen business and cultural ties. Cross-border cooperation and collaboration has proved to be an ingredient for success, and it is all the more important that we continue to engage and partner with our neighbors to the south.”
Congressman Cuellar added, “I want to thank BTA Board Chair and Vice President Paola Avila, U.S. BTA President Britton Clarke, Mexico BTA President Martin Anzaldua Garza, Past BTA Chairman and Founder Sam Vale, and the BTA Board of Directors and members for their hard work and dedication to foster bilateral relations and promote trade between the U.S. and Mexico.”
“This annual event is so important as business and local government leaders, who must navigate a shifting legal and regulatory landscape governing cross-border commerce, seek to share their views and insight with the elected and administration officials who have oversight of trade and security issues,” BTA President Britton Clarke said. “This year’s edition once again featured valuable, candid discussions that left all of the participants better informed.”
Martin Anzaldua, President of BTA Mexico said, “The border region between Mexico and the United States has a completely different dynamic from the rest of the population of both countries, which is why having representatives in congress who understand this way of life is vital. Such is the case of Congressman Henry Cuellar who, in his speech at the last meeting of BTA Mexico, demonstrated a very clear vision of the necessary actions that must be taken to face the challenges that are presented to us today.”
BTA Board Chair Paola Avila said, “Congressman Cuellar is incredibly deserving of this award. On complicated and sometimes contentious issues facing stakeholders who live and work along the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico borders, Rep. Cuellar offers a continuous desire to make our border regions better and enhance the quality of life around them.”
Past recipients include former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge and Dr. Herminio Blanco, Mexico’s chief negotiator of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
 recently honored Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) with the “Friend of the Americas” Award during their conference “Building A Competitive U.S.- Mexico Border,” on August 30th in Mexico City){kind=link}