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Media Advisory: Congressman Filemon Vela and Walter Bastian Attend Press Conference Focusing on the Importance of Trade with Mexico

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                              PRESS CONTACT

February 18, 2014                                                           Brenda Lopez 956.544.8352

     

Media Advisory: Congressman Filemon Vela and Walter Bastian Attend Press Conference Focusing on the Importance of Trade with Mexico

 

 

Brownsville, TX– On Wednesday, Congressman Filemon Vela (D-TX) and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce Walter Bastian will tour the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge and the Donna Bridge to highlight the importance of the border region’s ports of entry to the U.S. economy.  Following the tour, a press conference will be held at 9:00 a.m. at the Pharr Bridge.

As Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce within the International Trade Administration, Mr. Bastian is responsible for developing programs, policies and strategies designed to strengthen the United States' commercial position in the Western Hemisphere.

 

“It is an honor to bring Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce Walter Bastian to South Texas to see first-hand our ports of entry and the huge volume of trade that flows between the U.S. and Mexico through South Texas,” said Congressman Vela.  “Mr. Bastian brings a wealth of international trade experience and I look forward to the insight he can share with local stakeholders.  U.S. trade with Mexico is approximately $500 billion per year and supports 6 million jobs here in the U.S.  Rather than militarize our border, our country should invest to improve and modernize our ports of entry.  This is particularly important given a recent study which concluded that delays on the Southern border could cost the U.S. economy $14.7 billion a year by 2020.

 

"We are excited to have Mr. Bastian visit the The Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge and see first-hand how South Texas International Trade becomes more attractive with the regional Pharr-Donna Commercial Bridge System in-place," said Pharr Bridge Director Juan G. Guerra.

 

Wednesday, February 19th

 

Who:  Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce Walter Bastian and Congressman Filemon Vela

 

What: Press conference following tour of the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge

 

When: 9:00 a.m.

 

Where: Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge

 

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