City of McAllen to honor two members of the Rio Grande Valley legislative delegation

McAllen, TX--Mayor Richard F. Cortez and the McAllen City Commission will honor two members of the Rio Grande Valley legislative delegation today with a proclamation and award at the regular City Commission meeting, this afternoon at 4 p.m.

Representative Aaron Pena and Representative Ryan Guillen will be recognized by the mayor and city commission at the ceremony today.

The delegation worked diligently with the City of McAllen on several major pieces of legislation that impacted the residents of the city including helping bring $800,000 to expand the UTPA Teaching Site in McAllen. University and City officials are already meeting on how to leverage the funds to expand the school's footprint in McAllen to offer more opportunities.

Senator Hinojosa and Representative Guillen also led the city's effort, with the support of the delegation, to save taxpayers millions of dollars with the takeover of Hidalgo County Water Improvement District No. 3.

While the effort was ultimately unsuccessful because Governor Rick Perry vetoed the legislation, the delegation fought the good fight for months to do what was right for the residents of McAllen.

Their efforts with these projects and many others, in what was very difficult legislative session, for all involved should not go unrecognized.

“We are extremely proud of our Valley legislative delegation for their dedicated service and unwavering support in the 82nd Texas Legislature,” said McAllen Mayor Richard F. Cortez. “On behalf of the City of McAllen and its residents I commend them and thank them for a job well done.”