Texas Border Business
AUSTIN – Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller was sworn-in for his second term in a colorful ceremony at the Pharr International Bridge spanning the Rio Grande River and the Texas-Mexico border. Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman conducted the oath of office.
To highlight the importance of trade and legal immigration across the Texas border, Commissioner Miller invited and was joined both by local representatives and officials from the neighboring Mexican state of Tamaulipas, including Governor Francisco García Cabeza de Vaca. With the stage surrounded by fresh Rio Grande Valley fruits and vegetables, Commissioner Miller was welcomed to the ceremony by the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD FFA and student mariachi band. The event was webcast on Facebook LIVE.
“It’s a great day to be on the Texas border,” Commissioner Miller said. “I am honored to again take the oath of office to represent Texas as your Agriculture Commissioner for the next four years. I can think of no better place to accept this responsibility than here in the Rio Grande Valley, a region vital to the agricultural and economic future of Texas.”
This importance was highlighted by President Donald J. Trump’s recent visit to the area on Thursday to meet with local leaders and U.S. Border Patrol regarding border security.
While a Texas House of Representatives member, Commissioner Miller chaired the House committee responsible for border security issues. In his comments, Miller thanked President Trump for drawing a sharp focus on the need for immigration reform and greater security along the Texas border. He said the presence of the Governor of Tamaulipas at his swearing-in provided a model for Texas-Mexico relations.
“I am honored to have my friend Governor Cabeza de Vaca join me here today,” Miller said. “A river and a border may separate our two great states and our two great nations, but this bridge symbolizes the way we work together on shared goals of increased trade and legal, compassionate immigration. Let the rest of the nation
Commissioner Miller and Governor García Cabeza de Vaca formed a strong working relationship on agricultural and
“Since the start of my tenure as Governor of Tamaulipas,” Governor García Cabeza de Vaca said. “We have
The Pharr International Bridge has evolved into the largest land port for fruits and vegetables in the nation, crossing 60% of all the fresh produce coming from Mexico through Texas land ports of entry, and contributing significantly to the regional, state, national, and international economy.
“Commissioner Miller has always been a great partner to Pharr, and we congratulate him as he begins another term helping to promote and support agricultural interests in our state,” said Pharr Mayor, Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez. “We are always honored to welcome state leaders to our area to get a firsthand glimpse of the commerce and trade activity that occurs daily at our international port of entry here in Pharr,” Hernandez added.
In addressing his plans for his second term in office, Commissioner Miller outlined a number of goals relating to improvements in federally-funded school nutrition programs and increasing state and international promotion of Texas agriculture and Texas-owned businesses. He also highlighted his push for allowing production of industrial hemp and his continuing fight against credit card skimmers in Texas fuel pumps.
“We accomplished a lot in four years, but there’s more work to do,” Miller said. “So hold on to your hat, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”
An eighth-generation Texas farmer and rancher, Sid Miller is the 12th Commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). A ten-time world champion rodeo cowboy, he has devoted his life to promoting Texas agriculture, rural communities and the western heritage of Texas. Learn more about the Texas Department of Agriculture and Commissioner Miller at www.texasagriculture.gov.
