Globally Competitive - Locally Engaged

Hello, I’m Raul G. Salinas, Mayor of the great City of Laredo, Texas.

It brings me great pleasure to talk to you about a community that means so much to me and the almost two hundred thousand people who live here.

Laredo is quite unlike any other city in Texas. We are one of the fastest growing border communities located in Webb County along the banks of the Rio Grande; about 150 miles southwest of San Antonio.

Founded in 1755, our city has grown from the once small town to the present-day progressive community it is now. We can boast about our four international bridges which is why our city is commonly referred to as the “Gateway to Mexico." This access with our neighbors to the South has made Laredo the largest inland ports along the U.S./Mexico border. Trade in our city is done by land, rail, and air, and results in billions of dollars in business with companies from over 60 different countries from all around the world. In Laredo you’ll find a vibrant culture rich in history and tradition where much of our population is bilingual, speaking English and Spanish.

Laredo has so much to be proud of and as Mayor of this city it is incumbent upon me address our concerns community-wide. This cd outlines our legislative concerns and funding requests. As Mayor of a border city, please know we must not only be concerned with our population but that of our sister city, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, as well. For example in the area of the health, if there is an outbreak of tuberculosis in our sister city, our own population can be effected and vice-versa. In the area of public safety, our police and fire departments must be on stand-by at all times if a chemical or hazardous spill should occur from the high volume of commercial traffic and trade passing back and fourth from our city to Mexico each day. These are just some of the dynamic issues we face each day.

Laredo is globally competitive but we are also locally engaged as you will see by reviewing this CD and understanding our needs outlined for you. Our city will continue to flourish with your assistance and understanding of our unique needs.

Thank you.