Congressman Henry Cuellar Welcomes Attorney General To Laredo

CONGRESSMAN HENRY CUELLAR WELCOMES ATTORNEY GENERAL TO LAREDO

Today, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez visited Laredo to discuss the increase in violence along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Attorney General was joined by Congressman Cuellar via phone from Washington for briefings by local law enforcement officials and community leaders. Congressman Cuellar remained in Washington in order to vote in favor of raising the minimum wage.

"I'm honored that Attorney General Gonzalez accepted my invitation to come to Laredo and speak with local leaders about the current situation along the border," noted Congressman Cuellar. "I have continued to work with local leaders to call national attention to our southern border region and the problems that the region faces. I strongly believe the growing violence along the U.S. - Mexico border can only be effectively addressed by the full cooperation of local, state, and federal authorities."

Congressman Cuellar continued, "I will continue working to bring much needed federal resources to the U.S. - Mexico border. I also believe that we must work to involve our Mexican partners in securing the border. Attorney General Gonzalez and I have known each other for a quite a long time, and I'd like to thank him for coming to Laredo to view the situation first hand. I'd also like to than him for his assistance in securing $300,000 in additional funding to boost efforts to combat drug trafficking in Laredo and McAllen, Texas. These grant funds will be used to support a joint task force of federal and state law enforcement agencies that will target high-level drug trafficking organizations along the U.S./Mexico border."

http://www.house.gov/list/press/tx28_cuellar/aginlaredojan07.html