A.D. Ibarra
-ICT

    US Congressman Will Hurd was in Eagle Pass Tuesday at the International Center for Trade alongside Mayor Ramsey English-Cantú, Director of Field Operations for CBP David Higgerson, Port Director John Brandt and USCBP officers along with US Consul General David Zimov, Consul Ismael Naveja Macias who were there to address the PRIDE Initiative, a new professionalism initiative aimed at reinvigorating professionalism, respect , integrity, diversity and excellence through the CBP workforce at our ports of entry.
    CBP also named a Professionalism Service Manager for our Eagle Pass port of entry who is SCBPO Jaime Gonzalez.
    "The program is about increasing the professionalism throughout the department of Homeland Security: Customs, Border Patrol because a lot of ties when people are coming into the United States, these are the first people they see, so we want to make sure that they are being treated properly and in a way that makes them want to return," said the freshman congressman.
    "In a place like Eagle Pass and the number of people that come back and forth all the time.  It's one community and the border is really a middle and not really an edge.  So this program is about recognizing that and making sure that we have the highest standards of professionalism when we're interacting with people coming back and forth across the border."
    When asked if this will entail training or things of that nature, this is what the congressman had to say: "There will be formal training talking about best practices.  We're talking about best practices throughout the community, so it's a pretty extensive program.  I commend DHS on this."
    "I'm on my way to Del Rio and we're going to try to go over to Acuña.  I spoke with the mayor yesterday as Del Rio is trying to help its sister city focusing on supplies and relief to take over to Acuña.  Last I heard, more than 800 homes were affected by the twister.  It's a pretty significant impact to that community.  It's great that Del Rio is making efforts to help their sister city."
    When informed that The News Gram cameras were there to capture some of the images of the disaster, this is what Congressman Hurd had to say: "The pictures of the F-150 truck upturned on top of a house is incredible.  I'm going to try to go see it for myself in order to see how I might be able to be of help."