MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON BORDER AFFAIRS - SPECIAL
Friday, February 4, 2000
10:00 a.m.
Eagle Pass City Hall
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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Border
Affairs - Special was held on Friday, February 4, 2000, at the
Eagle Pass City Hall in Eagle Pass, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. Senator David Sibley
Senator Eliot Shapleigh Senator Teel Bivins
Senator Judith Zaffirini Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Carlos Truan
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The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. The
following business was transacted:
Chairman Lucio gave opening remarks.
Chairman Lucio presented Maverick County Judge Rogelio "Rocky"
Escobedo with a Texas flag.
Chairman Lucio recognized City of Eagle Pass Mayor Jose Aranda.
Senator Zaffirini and Senator Shapleigh gave opening remarks.
Chairman Lucio recognized State Representative Tracy King.
Mayor Jose Aranda, representing the Middle Rio Grande Area,
testified on interim charge #1.
Mr. Salvador Mercado, representing the Texas Department of
Transportation, testified on interim charge #1.
Judge Rocky Escobedo, representing Maverick County, testified on
interim charge #1.
Chief Tony Castaneda, representing the Eagle Pass Police
Department, testified on interim charge #1.
Ms. Denise Donnelly, representing the Office of the Attorney
General, testified on interim charge #1.
Mayor Pablo Gonzales was recognized and made remarks on behalf
of the City of Cotulla.
Mayor Roberto Chavira was recognized and made remarks on behalf
of the City of Del Rio.
Mayor Frank Moreno was recognized and made remarks on behalf of
the City of Crystal City.
Mr. Jefferson Grimes, representing the Texas Department of
Transportation, testified on interim charge #1.
Mr. Paul Edwards, representing PAE Associates, testified on
interim charge #1.
Mr. Gary Kyle, representing the Border Trade Alliance, testified
on interim charge #1.
Mr. Isedro Garza, representing self as a 23rd Congressional
District Candidate, testified on interim charge #1.
At 1:05 p.m. Chairman Lucio moved that the committee stand
recessed.
At 2:25 p.m. the committee reconvened.
Dr. Catherine Young, representing the Fort Duncan Medical
Center, the Eagle Pass Fire Department Emergency Medical
Service, and the Kinney County Emergency Medical Service,
testified on interim charge #3.
At 2:26 p.m. Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.
At 2:32 p.m. Chairman Lucio resumed the chair.
Mr. Nick Fohn, representing the Texas Department of Health,
testified on interim charge #3.
Mr. Chris Britton, representing the Office of the Lieutenant
Governor, testified on interim charge #3.
Mr. Juan Martinez, representing the Fort Duncan Medical Center,
testified on interim charge #3.
Mr. Jack Hayes, representing the Brownsville Health Department,
testified on interim charge #3.
At 3:15 p.m. Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.
At 3:20 p.m. Chairman Lucio resumed the chair.
Mr. George Kypuros, representing the United Medical Centers,
testified on interim charge #3.
At 3:25 p.m. Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.
At 3:30 p.m. Chairman Lucio resumed the chair.
Ms. Berta Sanchez, representing the Methodist Healthcare
Ministries, testified on interim charge #3.
Judge Rocky Escobedo, representing Maverick County, testified on
interim charge #3.
Ms. Elizana Rodriguez, representing the Maverick County
Nutrition Program, testified on interim charge #3.
Ms. Romelia Cardona, representing Maverick County, testified on
interim charge #3.
Mr. Paul Edwards, representing PAE Associates, testified on
interim charge #3.
Mr. Nick Fohn, representing the Texas Department of Health,
testified on interim charge #3.
Dr. Margot Martinez, representing self as a border citizen,
testified on interim charge #3.
Mr. Roberto Gonzalez, representing the City of Eagle Pass Water
Works, testified on interim charges #2 and #5.
Mr. Hector Chavez, representing the City of Eagle Pass,
testified on interim charges #2 and #5.
Mr. Paul Edwards, representing PAE Associates, testified on
interim charges #2 and #5.
Mr. Ignacio Madera, representing the Texas Water Development
Board, testified on interim charge #2.
Mr. Pedro Vargas, representing Eagle Pass Housing Authority,
testified on interim charge #5.
Mr. Scott Storment, representing the Office of the Secretary of
State, testified on interim charges #2 and #5.
Mr. Domingo Davalos, representing the Office of the Secretary of
State, testified on interim charges #2 and #5.
Judge Rocky Escobedo, representing Maverick County, testified on
interim charge #2.
Mr. Larry Martin, representing the Eagle Pass Chamber of
Commerce and the Camino Real Bank, testified on interim charge
#4.
Mr. Leslie Kramer, representing Southwest Texas Junior College,
testified on interim charge #4.
At 5:00 p.m. Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.
Mr. Arturo Delgado, representing the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe
of Texas, testified on interim charge #4.
At 5:05 p.m. Chairman Lucio resumed the chair.
Mr. Leodoro Martinez, representing the Middle Rio Grande
Development Council, testified on interim charge #4.
Ms. Tammye Carpinteyro, representing FUTURO Communities, Inc.,
testified on interim charge #4.
Ms. Elizabeth Sifuentes, representing the Middle Rio Grande
Development Council, testified on interim charge #4.
Chairman Lucio recognized the staff for their hard work.
Chairman Lucio thanked the City of Eagle Pass, Maverick County,
Maverick County Economic Development Corporation, and the
Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Jose Aranda presented the Committee Members with
commemorative trophies.
There being no further business, at 5:30 p.m. Chairman Lucio
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair
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Stephanie R. Hoover, Clerk