FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 1999
CONTACT: Lisette McSoud Mondello
SENATOR HUTCHISON ADDRESSES CONTINUING NEED
TO IMPROVE COLONIAS INFRASTRUCTURE,
TEXAS BORDER CONDITIONS
SAN ANTONIO -- Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison told attendees at the 25th Anniversary Convention of the Southwest Industrial Areas Foundation that more needs to be done to improve the lives of Texas residents who reside in colonias.
"We have much to be proud of," said Senator Hutchison, who has worked closely with San Antonio's Valley Interfaith community organization, a member of the foundation, on colonias issues. "But more work lies ahead in our campaign to provide clean water and waste disposal facilities to those without access."
More than 350,000 Texans live in approximately 1,500 impoverished colonias, many of which still lack running water, sewer systems and paved roads. The absence of these basic services threatens the health of colonias residents and poses a particular threat to the children living there.
"On the eve of the 21st century, it is simply intolerable that any of our fellow citizens live this way," said Senator Hutchison. "Fixing this problem has been at the top of my agenda since my first day in the Senate."
To date, Senator Hutchison has led the fight to secure more than $350 million in federal funds to install water and wastewater treatment systems in the colonias. She endorsed legislation adopted by the Texas Legislature last year that now gives county governments the authority to regulate construction of new subdivisions and colonias to ensure that they meet local infrastructure requirements. In addition, Senator Hutchison has strongly backed a program to provide colonias residents with access to mobile medical laboratories.
Senator Hutchison told conference attendees that the colonias are best served when all interested parties work together.
"I applaud the work of Valley Interfaith, " said the Senator. "We are doing the right thing for colonias residents, but much remains to be accomplished."
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