| April 7, 2012 |
Dear El Pasoans,
The business community created 120,000 jobs in March throughout the country and the unemployment rate fell to 8.2 percent, according to information provided on Friday by the U.S. Department of Labor. Job creation and the economy continue to be my no. 1 priority for all El Pasoans. I will continue to support legislation that spurs economic development through job creation and puts people back to work.
Easter Joy
As we celebrate this Easter season, I was proud to join Operation H.O.P.E, KTSM News Anchor Noreen Jaramillo, Meteorologist Mark Mathis, and the Easter Bunny to deliver Easter baskets to children at Providence Hospital this past week.
This season reminds us of the importance of sacrifice, love and forgiveness, and as a parent and grandparent, I was humbled to have the opportunity to deliver a little bit of joy to these children. This is also a time when we come together with family and friends to reflect on our blessings. Let us give thanks for our families, our friends, and the men and women in uniform serving our country. Let us also be particularly mindful of the men and women serving overseas and their friends and loved ones at home who will be apart during this Easter and Passover season.
El Paso's Poppy Festival
This past weekend, El Paso’s Museum of Archaeology held their annual El Paso Poppy Festival to celebrate the poppies and enjoyed the Sun City’s scenic treasures at Castner Range and the Franklin Mountains.
It was my pleasure to secure $300,000 in needed federal funding for the Frontera Land Alliance for the preservation of Castner Range; and I included provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act stating that it is the intent of Congress that Castner Range be preserved as open space for including in the Franklin Mountain State Park.
Michael Gaglio, Board President of the Frontera Land Alliance of El Paso, presented Congressman Silvestre Reyes with the organization’s “Rock Award” for his work in Congress to preserve Castner Range in Northeast El Paso for conservation purposes. (Feb 2010)
El Paso is home to a wonderful blend of rich history and beautiful scenery. I want my grandchildren and their grandchildren to enjoy treasures like El Paso’s poppies, the Franklin Mountains, and Castner Range. These are some of the most important places in El Paso, and we have an obligation to preserve it for future generations.
Veterans own nine percent of U.S. businesses, new study finds
A new study released last week by the U. S. Small Business Administration found that veterans own nine percent of small businesses—an estimated 2.45 million firms in total. The study also found that Texas is one of five states with the largest number of veteran-owned small businesses in the country.
Key findings of the study include the following:
• More than 90 percent of veteran-owned businesses are small firms with fewer than 20 employees. The study estimates the number of veteran-owned businesses at 2.45 million, employing 5.79 million workers, with sales and receipts of $1.22 trillion.
• Of the total number of veteran-owned firms, nearly one-third were in just two industry groups: construction and professional, scientific, and technical services.
• As a percentage of businesses in each industry, finance and insurance had the largest veteran-owned share, at 13.2 percent, followed by transportation and warehousing; mining; construction; professional, scientific, and technical services; and manufacturing.
• Veteran business owners were predominantly age 55 and over (75.1 percent), reflecting the ages of veterans overall, and they tended to be better educated than other business owners.
• Of the veteran business owners who responded to the survey, 8.3 percent had service-connected disabilities.
Each year, my office partners with EPCC’s Contract Opportunities Center and the El Paso Small Business Consortium in hosting a Veterans Business Conference to provide a one stop shop for small business owners and future entrepreneurs to access the resources available that help them start up and expand businesses. I strongly encourage all current and potential veteran entrepreneurs and business owners to attend this very important conference which will be held in August.
In El Paso we have hard working veterans and an entrepreneurial spirit that makes El Paso great. Small businesses are a critical driver in El Paso's economy and we have to work together to bring needed federal resources to the region and give our businesses the tools they need to succeed. El Paso is home to nearly 80,000 veterans. As a Vietnam combat veteran, I have always been deeply committed to advocating for those who have worn our nation’s uniform, and I will continue working for the welfare of our veterans.
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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Latest Video
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Congressman Silvestre Reyes recognizes Women's History Month and honors women leaders for their many contributions to the El Paso community (March 2012).
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Latest News
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Senate Hearing Held to consider Reyes-authored bill to preserve Ysleta Del Sur
Reyes opposes budget cuts to programs serving seniors, veterans, and children
Mayor John Cook, Rep. Silvestre Reyes discuss monorail to ease border freight traffic
Reyes announces homeless assistance and stop-loss payment deadline extension for veterans
Reyes invites El Paso Community to join White Ribbon Day Campaign Wednesday
Drawing by Hanks High School student wins Congressional Art Contest
Reyes statement on the two year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act
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Congressman Silvestre Reyes visits VOLAR Center for Independent Living to discuss impacts of the Republican passed Ryan budget that could affect people with special needs. (April 2012).
Congressman Silvestre Reyes and El Paso Mayor John Cook meet with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano in Washington, D.C. to discuss the importance of investing in ports of entry in the El Paso-area. This past week Congressman Reyes and Mayor Cook held a press conference to discuss El Paso’s Efforts to Reduce Border Wait Times (March 2012).
Congressman Silvestre Reyes attends Southwest Career College Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to open its 85,000 square foot automotive facility (March 2012).
Robert Jacquemotte, representative from Southwest Airlines, 12 year-old sister, Kiana Espino, 2012 Congressional Art Winner, Francisco Espino, and their mother Ms. Espino are photographed by community members after Francisco, a junior at Hanks High School, was named the 2012 Congressional Art Winner by Congressman Silvestre Reyes. Francisco's art will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year along with hundreds of other art pieces. (March 2012).
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