Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2007
TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, THE JUDICIARY, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007
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Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Chairman, I rise to engage in a colloquy with Chairman Knollenberg on this particular issue.
First of all, I want to thank the chairman and I want to thank the ranking member, Mr. Olver, for their hard work on this particular bill. I also appreciate this opportunity to speak to Chairman Knollenberg on this issue that is very important to my congressional district.
My congressional district abuts the U.S.-Mexico border, which is very dependent on trade. Interstate Highway 35, the ``NAFTA Corridor,'' runs from Laredo in my district, throughout the San Antonio area, all the way up to San Marcos, all three areas which are large population centers.
Zapata County, which is in my district, is sandwiched between Webb County and Starr County, both Border Commercial Zones. Zapata is not currently designated a Border Commercial Zone, and consequently it loses out on economic development opportunities since Mexican trucks cannot conduct business in Zapata County. The Zapata business community has been asking for this designation. This area of the country is economically challenged, and the opportunity to engage in trade with Mexico will make a big difference in local business community development.
For example, the Zapata County master plan initiative includes an airport expansion project that includes a cargo facility and will offer shorter, direct flights into Zapata from Monterrey, Mexico. Freight companies in Mexico have expressed a desire to build warehouses and open a facility. In order to get a commercial zone, it takes an application process, but it is a long, burdensome process for a goal that is quite simple.
I am asking for your help, Mr. Chairman, to expedite Zapata County's application to be designated a Border Commercial Zone. Getting this locality on the fast track will be good for the local residents and businesses in this area for economic development.
Mr. Chairman, I appreciate your support to help Zapata County apply for and expedite the process to become a Border Commercial Zone, and I thank you for the opportunity.
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