| April 28, 2012 |
Dear El Pasoans:
This past week I was proud to announce that the U.S. Senate confirmed David Campos Guaderrama to serve as a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.
After a long nomination process, I am pleased that the Senate confirmed Judge David Campos Guaderrama to serve as a federal judge for the Western District of Texas. Guaderrama has served as a magistrate judge for the Western District of Texas and brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience through a legal career that spans more than three decades.
The Texas Democratic Delegation, with my vote of confidence and support, unanimously recommended Judge Guaderrama to fill a vacancy on the federal bench in El Paso. I am pleased to have worked alongside Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and Senator John Cornyn in seeing this confirmation through. Judge Guaderrama has shown an outstanding commitment to public service throughout his career, and I know he will serve the bench well -- with jurisprudence, fairness, rule of law -- and give all who come before him equal protections afforded to them by the U.S. Constitution. I am confident that Judge Guaderrama will serve the El Paso community with great distinction, honor and commitment for many years.
President Barack Obama nominated Judge David Campos Guaderrama to serve as a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas in September 2011. The Texas Democratic Delegation, of which Congressman Reyes is a leading member, suggested to President Obama that Judge Guaderrama be the nominee for the position.
Judge David Campos Guaderrama has been a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Texas since October 2010. From 1995 to 2010, Judge Guaderrama served as a District Judge for the 243rd District Court of Texas in El Paso. Prior to serving as a judge, Judge Guaderrama spent seven years working as El Paso County’s first Chief Public Defender, from 1987 to 1994. Judge Guaderrama began his legal career in 1979 as a sole practitioner and from 1980 to 1986 was a partner with the firm of Guaderrama and Guaderrama. Judge Guaderrama received his J.D. in 1979 from the University of Notre Dame Law School and his B.A. in 1975 from New Mexico State University. He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in November 1979.
Reyes urges UT Chancellor to reverse decision to cancel Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. sporting event
UPDATE:
Yesterday, I release the following statement regarding the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. sporting event decision by UT Chancellor Dr. Francisco Cigarroa:
“After conversations with UT Chancellor Dr. Francisco Cigarroa, I am pleased and encouraged by the move to continue with negotiations to proceed with the Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. sporting event at the Sun Bowl. I applaud Dr. Cigarroa for his actions today and for ensuring that the voices of El Paso are heard. As I mentioned previously, this is more than a boxing match, it is about respect. It is about ensuring that Texas, and the rest of the country know that El Paso is vibrant, beautiful, safe, and open for business.”
This past week, I sent a letter to UT Chancellor Dr. Francisco Cigarroa expressing my disappointment with the Chancellor’s latest decision to cancel the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. sporting event:
"Dear Dr. Cigarroa:
"I write to express concern with your decision to cancel the Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. sporting event that was scheduled at the University of Texas at El Paso. While I respect your authority to make these decisions, I am disappointed by reports indicating that you decided to cancel this function in response to "security" related concerns.
"For the second year in a row, El Paso is the safest, large city in America with a population of over 500,000. Our city prides itself in this regard and has hosted numerous large scale functions, as well as ambassadors, heads of state, and other high level dignitaries. In fact just last year, President Obama held an open space function at our historic Chamizal National Memorial, and just yesterday, President Bill Clinton spoke before a crowd of thousands at the El Paso Coliseum, both locations just minutes from Ciudad Juarez, which has shown steadily improving security conditions over the past eight months.
"Accordingly, it should come as no surprise that our community is deeply upset and wholeheartedly disagrees with this decision. Most of all, there is a great sense of disappointment as a result of the premise, and the assumptions, under which this decision was made this week.
"In light of this, I respectfully ask that you reconsider this move immediately and authorize the scheduled event to proceed as planned. In addition, I invite you and the Board of Regents to visit El Paso and I will be glad to arrange a full and comprehensive security briefing to help allay any fears.
"I look forward to hearing from you and appreciate your immediate attention to this request."
Freight Shuttle Project
After last month’s meeting with Secretary Napolitano, I arranged a follow up meeting with CBP Commissioner David Aguilar and Deputy Commissioner Thomas Winkowski to continue talks regarding the Freight Shuttle System (FSS), an initiative with huge potential for the border region.
Bob Cook, President of REDCo, Robert Radovan and Bill Criswell with Freight Shuttle International, Bob Trotter and Dr. Steve Roops with the Texas Transportation Institute, and Said Larbi-Cherif, Director of the City of El Paso’s International Bridges briefed CBP officials on the freight shuttle project. The project, which would be conducted as a pilot program in the El Paso/Juarez border community, may ultimately expand to other border cities. Mayor Cook and I joined the group to push to keep this important project moving forward.
Discussion continued to lay the necessary groundwork to establish a monorail system that would move cargo across the international border. This project would effectively and efficiently double the daily cargo at our existing ports of entry increasing our U.S./Mexico trade and commerce.
I believe that the Freight Shuttle project will accomplish multiple objectives for the US government, as well as private companies. As envisioned, the freight shuttle system will:
- provide an additional option for the cross-border movement of freight which shippers will find to be efficient and cost-effective,
- provide increased security of shipments,
- reduce congestion directly at the ports of entry,
- be environmentally friendly, and
- completely be financed by the private sector.
Please visit my website at www.Reyes.House.gov to get the latest news about my activities in Congress and be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr for updates.
Saludos,
Silvestre Reyes
Proudly representing the
16th District of Texas
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Congressman Reyes released a video message for local businesses providing helpful resources pertaining to the the federal employment process and information about the Employment Eligibility Verification form (April 2012).
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Latest News
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Reyes Urges Mexico to release U.S. Truck Driver
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Approves funding for Rio Bosque Water Turnout
Reyes Opposes Legalization of Drug-Use, Supports Assistance to Mexico
More than half a million awarded to UTEP to increase diversity in STEM fields
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Help El Paso fight hunger
"No child should ever have to go hungry and if we have the opportunity to provide warm meals to thousands with just the click of a button, then we need to get every single person we know to vote for El Paso on Facebook and help our city fight hunger," said Congressman Reyes.
El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, formerly the West Texas Food Bank and El Paso’s only Food Bank, has a chance to win $1,000,000 or $50,000 through the Wal-Mart Fighting Hunger Together competition. The contest ends April 30; Wal-Mart selected 200 Food Banks across the country to compete for the donations and the city with the most votes will win the million dollars. |
Latest Photos on Flickr
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Congressman Silvestre Reyes joined U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistant Secretary Sandra Henriquez, the Housing Authority of El Paso (HACEP), and other state and local officials for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Paisano Green Community. This is another significant investment in our community’s long term infrastructure made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Paisano Green Community is a model project and is one of the most energy-efficient housing units in the United States. This investment will help alleviate the shortage of affordable housing in El Paso with the addition of 73 energy-efficient units. These units will not only help reduce our community’s energy and water consumption, but will also help families save money on utility costs (April 2012).
Congressman Reyes joined the Salvation Army of El Paso and community members to celebrate the grand opening of the new Fresh Start Center in central El Paso. The funding for this center was provided by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development to offer transitional housing units for homeless families (April 2012).
 Congressman Reyes joins Pentagon’s top civilian and military leaders in a press conference to announce a campaign and new initiatives to combat and stop sexual assault in the military (April 2012).
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