As powerful special interest groups, wealthy lobbyists, political operatives, and literally thousands of other Texans from all walks of life descend upon the Texas Legislature during the next five months, the City of Edinburg and the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation will be presenting their own legislative wish list designed to improve the quality of life for its constituents. All three members of Edinburg’s state legislative delegation – including, featured here, from left: Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen, and Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen – as well as Rep. Aaron Peña, R-Edinburg, are ready to help promote the city’s legislative agenda, which includes more than 40 measures. "As county seat, as a center of higher and public education, and as a growing leader in health care and economic development, Edinburg has been an effective player in the legislative process," said Hinojosa. "They know how to work with their legislative delegations, both in Austin and in Washington, D.C., they are well-respected by the state’s top legislative leadership, and they always come to the table well-prepared and ready to advocate for and protect their citizens’ best interests." Also featured with the two legislators during this October function in Edinburg are Texas Supreme Court Justice Nathan L. Hecht and Mario Hinojosa, administrator for the Edinburg law office of Rep. Sergio Muñoz, Jr., D-Mission. See lead story in this posting. 

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Edinburg school district South Middle School math teacher, Jennifer Alaniz-López, featured center, was the recipient of a $2,000 Classroom Energy Innovation Grant sponsored by First Choice Power. The grant called for teachers to submit proposals concerning special energy-related projects in the classroom. "Teachers have the power to engage their students’ minds and imaginations, but because of budget shortages, it is often difficult for them to implement projects that require additional funds," said Brian Hayduk, president, First Choice Power. "This grant program allows teachers to provide something special for their students, making energy an exciting topic in the classroom." Also participating in the grant presentation were Sonia Guajardo-López, representing First Choice Power, and Anthony Garza, the principal of South Middle School.     

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Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, featured left, stands with UTPA President Robert S. Nelsen during a moment of silence in honor of the six people who were killed and several who were injured, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, in the January 8 shooting in Tucson, Arizona. Hinojosa held a press conference at UTPA on Wednesday, January 12 to address what measures Congress is taking in light of the incident. Hinojosa told a packed room inside the university’s International Trade and Technology building’s International Room that he would be meeting with the U.S. Marshals, FBI, as well as state and local law enforcement agencies to determine what security measures can be taken to ensure that constituents and others who attend public events he holds for them will be safe. See story later in this posting.  

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Jacob De León from Memorial Funeral Home presents a sponsorship check to Letty González for Fiesta Edinburg 2011, which is being organized by the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. In conjunction, Fiesta Edinburg has announced that New Boyz will be the headline musical act on Friday, February 25, along with Jimmy González y Grupo Mazz on Saturday, February 26,  with Elida Reyna y Avante plus others. Featured, from left:  Edinburg Chamber of Commerce leaders Johnny Rodríguez, who is chairman of the board of directors; Elva Jackson Garza, a member of the board of directors; Letty González, the president of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce; Jacob De León with Memorial Funeral Home; Edna Peña, the incoming chairwoman of the board of directors for the local chamber; Jason De León  with Memorial Funeral Home; and Cris Torres and Dalia Arce from Inter National Bank. Torres is also co-chair for Fiesta Edinburg and serves on the board of directors for the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. More information on Fiesta Edinburg, including limited sponsorship opportunities for the event, are currently available at 956/383-4974,. See story later in this posting. 

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Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, featured right, has filed two bills that address the intensification of drug violence in northern Mexico and its effects here in Texas. Lucio, who was at Edinburg City Hall on Monday, January 3 as part of the swearing-in ceremony for Hidalgo County Precinct 4 Commissioner Joseph Palacios, has filed Senate Bill 288, which would allow the state police to set up southbound checkpoints on roads leading to international bridges, and Senate Bill 289, which would outlaw the sale, use, manufacture, transportation and repair of "caltrops" – nails which are used to disable the tires of police cars in pursuit of criminals. Lucio said those two measures will be carried in the House of Representatives by Rep. Aaron Peña, R-Edinburg. The senator will be working with other Valley legislators and area leaders, including Palacios, on major measures designed to improve border security in the Valley. Featured, from left: Rep. Sergio Muñoz, Jr., D-Mission; Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen; Commissioner Palacios; and Sen. Lucio. See story later in this posting. 

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State Rep.-elect Sergio Muñoz, Jr., D-Mission, featured second from left, says South Texans should be much more than just observers when the Texas Legislature returns to work on Tuesday, January 11. Valleyites should be key players in the many legislative battles that will impact the border region – and he’s ready to help his constituents learn how to succeed in the legislative process. "There are going to be tremendous challenges and opportunities that will affect almost every aspect of our lives during the legislative session," Muñoz is encouraging his constituents in House District 36. "Be a participant, not a bystander. No one has a monopoly on good ideas." House District 36 includes Granjeno, Hidalgo, southern McAllen, most of Mission, Palmview, Peñitas, and Pharr. As part of his legislative duties, Muñoz on Friday, December 17, helped The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce pay tribute to its past by recognizing their former chairmen of the Board of Directors as well as honoring their longest standing members, including Thompson’s Electric Service, which recently celebrated 65 years of continuous membership in the local chamber. Featured, from left: Ismael Estrada, general manager; Rep.-elect Sergio Munoz, Jr; J.C. Thompson, Jr. owner; Ada Manrique, office manager; and Fred Kurth, chairman of the board of directors for the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce. See lead story later in this posting.

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Hidalgo County District Clerk Laura Hinojosa, featured first row, third from left, on Wednesday, December 29, helped present a check totaling $3,000, generated from contributions from her staff members, to the Edinburg  Explorer Fire Post 2002. This latest charitable donation by Hinojosa and her office staff is part of the district clerk office’s Blues for Bucks Workplace Fundraising Campaign, benefiting local charitable organizations. The Explorer Fire Post is a non-profit division of the Boy Scouts of America and is part of the Learning for Life career education program for young men and women who are 14 years of age but have not yet reached their 21st birthday. “Fire Service Exploring” is a worksite-based program that helps youth interested in the field of fire service gain insight through its five areas of emphasis: career opportunities, life skills, service learning, character education, and leadership experience. “Our staff is delighted to contribute to the Edinburg Explorer Fire Post, which is helping to promote growth and development of adolescent youth in our community,” said Hinojosa. “We hope our donation will help to continue engaging our youth in gaining the knowledge and experience necessary for fire service, which is in itself an important contribution to our society.” See story later in this posting.

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The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce will host the quarterly Public Affairs luncheon on Thursday, January 13, at the Echo Hotel and Conference Center, located on 1903 S. Closner.  The luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is $15 per person or $150 for a reserved table of 8. Dr. René Gutierrez, the superintendent for the Edinburg school district, will be the guest speaker, addressing education as the topic. This event is being sponsored by Inter National Bank. For more information or to make a reservation, please call 956/383-4974. Featured promoting the luncheon are, from left: Elva Jackson Garza (Co-chairman for the Public Affairs Committee); Cris Torres (Inter National Bank); Letty González (Edinburg Chamber of Commerce president); Dalia Arce (Inter National Bank); and Johnny Rodríguez (Edinburg Chamber of Commerce chairman). 

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Put on those boots and jeans and dress it up with gems and jewels and attend the 12th Annual Noche de Gala, to be hosted by the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, January 22.  The evening will not only have a dinner, dance and silent and live auctions, but it will also have a Las Vegas style casino as part of the evening’s festivities.  Guests will get to play and bid on some big items donated by business people in the communities. The casino will offer poker, roulette, craps and Black Jack.  Professional dealers will man the tables from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Other highlights of the evening will be the awarding of the Posthumous Golden Eagle Award to the late Mike Allen, an economic development leader and South Texas College board trustee who passed away in late August. Scheduled to accept the award on his behalf is Theresa Allen, his widow. Mike Allen was a well-known and respected individual on both sides of the border whose life saw him help people, first as a Catholic priest, then as longtime leader of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation. His dedication to the economic development of both sides of the border, education and humanity are considered as part of his legacy.  For more information on ticket or sponsorship information on the Noche de Gala, please call the RGV Hispanic Chamber at 928-0060. Featured, practicing their Black Jack skills are, from left: Joe Roxx, dealer; and representing the RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce are Hari Namboodiri, Jeanette Noone, Cynthia M. Sakulenzki and Yoli González.   

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The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce will host Fiesta Edinburg the last weekend in February, from the 24th through the 27th. Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, a national law firm that has offices in Edinburg and Brownsville, is one of the major sponsors for the event, which will include Jimmy González y Grupo Mazz as the headlining musical act. Jimmy González y Grupo Mazz are scheduled to perform on Saturday, February 26, along with Elida Reyna y Avante plus others. For 43 years, Fiesta Edinburg has been giving people a reason to celebrate the three-time All America City of Edinburg. Featured presenting a check to members of the Fiesta Edinburg Committee are, from left: Josie Ríos (First National Bank); Penny the Pig (First National Bank); Letty Reyes (Edinburg Economic Development Corporation); Rey Garza (HEB on Freddy González Drive); Edward Greaves (HEB on Freddy González Drive); Johnny Harris (HEB on Closner Boulevard); Letty González (Edinburg Chamber of Commerce); Dalia Arce (Fiesta Edinburg Committee member), and Cris Torres (Fiesta Edinburg Chair and board member for the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce). See story later in this posting.  

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