To say that there is strength in numbers sounds trite. Yet, as members of ten local business organizations resolved this past year, there is wisdom in these words. Led by Mario Pena, past chairman of the Laredo Chamber Board, a group representative of the leadership of these organizations began formally meeting in the summer of 2016. Gradually, the group evolved into thirteen with one mission in mind – to identify issues of interest to the business community and advance these with a unified voice. For lack of a better label, the group identified itself as Laredo G-13 (a list of the thirteen groups involved is attached).

 

                Earlier this month, Laredo G-13 saw its efforts come to fruition. The group joined the City of Laredo delegation on its annual legislative trip to Washington, DC. They hand-carried with them a legislative plan of action that they had developed over the past few months as they evolved into a structured organization.

 

                States Pena, “The future of NAFTA is being discussed and determined in Washington, D.C., and those actions will influence international trade, infrastructure, the number of new jobs created and our relationship with Mexico.  The Laredo G-13 delivered a strong pro-NAFTA message in support of trade and infrastructure to Washington because decisions there will affect Laredo at its core, so it becomes very important to be able to meet one-on-one with decision-makers in Washington, DC.” He added, “It’s crucial to be able to address specific issues, like NAFTA, Immigration, Border Security, Transportation, etc., and leave behind comprehensive documents that offer a background and recommended solutions.”

 

                In preparing for the Washington trip, the members of the group set about identifying issues of importance and of interest to the business community as a whole. Once identified, members of the

group were assigned the task of developing position papers for each of these topics. Specifically, four major categories were selected; members of the group were assigned the task of developing concise position papers on each. The topics selected and the individuals that worked on them were as follows:

• Infrastructure – Two documents were prepared under this theme. One document, titled “Laredo Bundle: Freight Mobility Project,” supports the City of Laredo’s application for the I-35 & I-69 improvements project (to facilitate flow of traffic into and out of the World Trade Bridge). This was prepared by Rolando Ortiz (LDF) and Pedro Martinez (Laredo Association of Realtors). The second document, titled “Twenty First Century Border Management,” was prepared by Francisco Marquez and Glafiro Montemayor (Asociación de Empresarios Mexicanos). This paper supports the construction of a fifth bridge off Hwy 83 on the southern side of the City.
• Transportation – This document was developed by Rafael Tawil and Ruben Garibay (Laredo Motor Carriers Association) and offers a recommendation for a privately-funded apprenticeship-type program for CDL drivers, using qualified EB3 visa drivers as trainers.
• Manufacturing –Titled “Skilled Workforce Development to Support Industrial Production in Depressed Border Regions” this position paper was developed by Alma Acevedo (LMA) and Olivia Varela (LDF).  It promotes training programs focusing on STEM-based careers.
• International Trade – Enrique Gonzalez (Laredo Licensed U.S. Customs Brokers Association) developed a document under this category supporting expansion of the World Trade Bridge (adding 8 additional lanes) --  with the caveat that additional CBP personnel will be required to handle additional work load.

                As this material was being developed, the idea of a statement of support for NAFTA was raised. The group agreed to include a resolution in support of NAFTA adopted by the Laredo Chamber Board of Directors. In addition a position paper developed by Chamber CEO Miguel Conchas titled “Why NAFTA?”, which provides evidence of the positive economic impact this trade agreement has brought to the local community, the state of Texas and the nation as a whole, was also included.

 

                A total of twenty-five members, representative of the various Laredo G-13 business organizations signed up for the legislative trip to Washington, DC. In the nation’s capital, they had opportunity to meet with Congressman Henry Cuellar, who in turn was joined by other members of Congress; Senator Ted Cruz and his staff; Christopher Wilson of the Wilson Center; representatives of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Labor; as well as experts in particular fields from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. These included: Meredith French, Senior Director for Political Affairs and Federation Relations; Amy Travieso, Director for Congressional and Public Affairs (formerly with Congressman Henry Cuellar’s office); Christopher Wenk, Executive Director for International Policy; and Adam Salerno, Executive Director for Global Supply Chain & Trade Facilitation. Some members of the group had opportunity to attend a meeting of the U.S. Chamber’s Transportation, Logistics and Infrastructure Committee, led by Ed Mortimer, who leads the American for Transportation Mobility Coalition, where they were apprised of anticipated appropriations legislation, as well as developments in relation to NAFTA.

 

Forming the business delegation were:

 

Mario Pena                  Laredo Chamber of Commerce/IBC

Cassandra Wheeler     Laredo Chamber of Commerce/TAMIU

Miguel A. Conchas      Laredo Chamber of Commerce

Miriam Castillo             Laredo Chamber of Commerce

Mike Marasco              Laredo Chamber of Commerce/McDonald’s of Laredo

Henry Sauvignet          Laredo Chamber of Commerce/IBC

Andrew Carranco         Laredo Chamber of Commerce

Enrique Gonzalez        Laredo Licensed U.S. Customs Brkrs. Assoc.

J.D. Gonzalez              Laredo Licensed U.S. Customs Brkrs. Assoc.

Arturo Dominguez        Laredo Licensed U.S. Customs Brkrs. Assoc.

Rafael Tawil                 Laredo Motor Carriers Assoc.

Ruben Garibay            Laredo Motor Carriers Assoc.

Jorge Guarneros          Laredo Motor Carriers Assoc.

Adrian Lavilla               Laredo Motor Carriers Assoc.

Jesus Marina                Association of Laredo Forwarding Agents

Armando Garza            Association of Laredo Forwarding Agents

Omar Gonzalez            Association of Laredo Forwarding Agents

Carlos Martinez            Association of Laredo Forwarding Agents

Edgardo Pedraza         Asociación de Agentes Aduanales de N. Ldo.

Luis Viñals                    Asociación de Agentes Aduanales de N. Ldo.

Francisco Marquez       Asociación de Empresarios Mexicanos

Olivia Varela                 Laredo Development Foundation

Tony Arce                     Laredo Development Foundation/AEP

Rolando Ortiz               Laredo Development Foundation

Dr. Pablo Arenaz         TAMIU