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CONTACTS:

Cari Lambrecht Eddie Zavala Sally Spener Hidalgo County Public Information Officer District Press Secretary IBWC Press Officer [email protected] Congressman [email protected] Office: (956) 292-7026 [email protected] Office: (915) 832-4175 Cell: (956) 720-5626 Cell: (956) 725-0639 Cell: (915) 703-5542

May 1, 2009 MEDIA RELEASE EMBARGOED UNTIL 10 A.M.

HIDALGO COUNTY LEVEE REHABILITATION PROJECT CREATES NEARLY 5,000 JOBS AND $508 MILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT

Federal dollars hailed as largest infusion of money to Hidalgo County

HIDALGO — The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court commemorated the historic infusion of about $300 million in federal funds for the Hidalgo County Levee Rehabilitation Project along with its partners today in a special recognition ceremony and press conference at the Hidalgo Pump House Museum and World Birding Center Nature Park.

Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas III released an economic impact study, commissioned by his office and conducted by Sai Mullapudi of the University of -Pan American’s Data & Information Systems Center Division of Community Engagement. The study indicates that the entire levee rehabilitation project, when complete, will produce nearly 5,000 local jobs and generate $508 million in economic impact.

“The infusion of federal funds and the fusion of our ideas have made Hidalgo County a better place all around,” Judge Salinas said. “This levee project saves lives, protects property and, may well be considered the ultimate stimulus package for our county. In this time of stress and hardship, this is some good news that uplifts our community to know that we are helping to create jobs and keep the economy strong.”

Judge Salinas continued: “This is an accomplishment that could have only been completed with the help of Congressman Henry Cuellar, the vision of Sen. , the cooperation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and our local Border Patrol Chief Ronald Vitiello as well as the U.S. IBWC, the late Commissioner Marin and the current Commissioner Ruth, as well as the mighty efforts of Congressman Ruben Hinojosa, , Ciro Rodriguez and Solomon Ortiz and let’s not forget Sen. . All of our federal delegation Page 2 of 3

worked on this project and have some hand in it, as did the Governor of Texas Rick Perry. Locally we have to thank our mayors and city commissions and councils, our economic development directors, the members of the Texas Border Coalition, the U.S.- Border Counties Coalition, and, of course, our taxpayers, for allowing us to proceed on such a challenging project.”

Congressman Cuellar remarked on the historic nature of the Hidalgo County Levee Rehabilitation Project.

“This project is a sweeping, bold, and decisive step that will create jobs right away and strengthen the economy in the Rio Grande Valley for years to come. With nearly 5,000 jobs to be created as a result of the levee construction, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is living up to what it was intended to do – to stimulate the economy. This historical and unprecedented infusion of federal dollars to the Rio Grande Valley is an indication of the great working relationships between local, state, and federal governments,” said Congressman Cuellar. “Once fully operational, these levees will also protect life and property.”

Sen. Cornyn noted that he is urging the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to act quickly on legislation he has filed to allow for local governments to recapture funds spent on the federal levee system. When those funds are recaptured, other critical drainage infrastructure projects can then get the help they need.

“The IBWC levees are multi-purpose structures that impact several counties and millions of residents in the Rio Grande Valley and Mexico. Not only are the levees a critical safety measure against flooding, they also serve as important infrastructure for national security operations. I commend Judge Salinas, the Hidalgo County Commissioners’ Court, Mayor Franz and all of the local leaders for their hard work to bring attention and resources to the IBWC levee system and its desperate need for repairs,” Sen. Cornyn said. “I am pleased Phase 1 of the project has been completed, but our work is not done. Now is the time to redouble our efforts to ensure every necessary repair is made to protect families and businesses here in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. I will continue work with Congressman Cuellar and other members of the South Texas Congressional delegation to push for passage of my legislation as soon as possible.”

U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission Commissioner C.W. “Bill” Ruth, too, expressed his pleasure that his agency could ensure a brighter future for Hidalgo County.

“I am very pleased that the USIBWC will be able to rehabilitate 100 additional miles of federal levees in Hidalgo County by the end of next year so that we can certify the levees for FEMA, allowing for continued economic growth of the region,” he said.

The host of the event, Mayor John David Franz, also commented on the levee-barrier and the entire levee project’s impact on the City of Hidalgo and the county as a whole.

“We have worked closely with Hidalgo County Judge Salinas and Chief Vitiello of Customs and Border Protection to ensure that the levee wall does not negatively impact our historic pumphouse, our birding center, hike and bike trails or our community. We appreciate the cooperation extended by federal officials responsible for securing the area in terms of not interfering with public use of our nature park. I am confident that the residents of Hidalgo are now more protected than ever from the threat of a flood and there is no doubt that this levee Page 3 of 3

barrier will divert a significant amount of narcotics and human smuggling to areas away from Hidalgo. This in turn will lower the risk for anyone choosing to enjoy our beautiful birding, hiking and biking trails. All in all, our community should be a much safer place.”

For more information, visit www.co.hidalgo.tx.us or visit us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/hcpio, our blog at www.judgejd.com and the Hidalgo County Judge’s Office Facebook group