BONILLA BRINGS COMMERCE

SECRETARY TO UTHSC-SA

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Henry Bonilla invited U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez to the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSC-SA) for a roundtable discussion with leaders from UTHSC-SA and the San Antonio community as well as a tour of the Clinical Skills Center led by UTHSC-SA President, Dr. Francisco G. Cigarroa.

"As native San Antonian, I have witnessed this city undergo tremendous change and development. Our city's economy is vibrant and growing and it is looked upon by many as a model of efficiency," said Congressman Bonilla. "I am proud to bring Secretary Gutierrez here today to see first-hand the innovation and technological advances the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is bringing to the medical field while preparing our future healthcare leaders."

The Clinical Skills Center is a state-of-the-art facility designed for the teaching and assessment of clinical skills of UTHSC-SA students.  In 2003, the center received $2 million in funding from the Economic Development Administration, a division of the Department of Commerce. With the help of initiatives developed in part due to this important federal funding, UTHSC-SA has become recognized as one of the best medical schools in educating the next generation of physicians and is among the highest ranked schools in educating Hispanic students in the health professions.

"San Antonio is no longer regarded as solely a military town and an exciting tourist destination. The world now looks at San Antonio as a fast-growing market in research and development, especially in the areas of health care and technology," said Congressman Bonilla. "I am proud of the remarkable discoveries being made each day here at UTHSC-SA."

During the roundtable discussion, Sec. Gutierrez discussed present and future economic development in the San Antonio area. The Secretary updated the attendees on current Department of Commerce initiatives and Dr. Cigarroa described the important role of UTHSC-SA in the regional economy. 
 
"Today Secretary Gutierrez met with several of San Antonio's leaders in both the public and private sector to discuss some of our city's wonderful commerce-related initiatives," said Congressman Bonilla. "I look forward to the tremendous growth and development San Antonio will undoubtedly experience due to this exchange of ideas and communication between our local and federal leaders."

In February of 2005, Carlos M. Gutierrez, the former chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the Kellogg Company, became the 35th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Born in Cuba, Sec. Gutierrez and his family immigrated to the U.S. when he was a child. Rising through the ranks from sales representative to CEO, Sec. Gutierrez now oversees an agency with about 38,000 employees and a $6.5 billion budget. He is truly an American success story.

Congressman Bonilla has represented the 23rd Congressional District of Texas since first being elected to Congress.  Bonilla serves as Chairman of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds all grants for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  In addition to chairing the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, Bonilla is a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

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