AUSTIN, Texas - The Consul General of Mexico in Austin, Humberto Hernández Haddad, hosted a delegation of Brownsville leaders at his offices as part of Brownsville Day at the Capitol.
The event was held the day after state Rep. Erin Elizabeth Gamez passed House Resolution 122 to recognize January 29 as Brownsville Day at the Texas State Capitol.
The event at the Mexican Consul General’s office was emceed by Brownsville Chamber of Commerce President Esmy Villarreal and featured in-depth analysis of Brownsville’s importance to the State of Texas. Villarreal noted that the chamber had not organized Brownsville Day for more than a decade.
“As you can see, we're truly excited. It's really an honor to be here today, to be welcomed with open arms in the Consular de Mexico in Austin, Texas,” Villarreal said.
Consul General Hernández asked the visitors from Brownsville to feel at home.
“You are very welcome, Brownsville delegation. The reason for this meeting is a personal institutional request by one of our best consuls of Mexico, Doctora Judith Arrieta Munguia, Consul of Mexico in Brownsville, Texas, who explained that the Day of Brownsville needs to be celebrated at the Capitol properly after 12 years of absence.”
Hernández continued: “We are really here to make sure that the message from Brownsville gets across the State of Texas. Brownsville is a strategic corner of the economic relationship of two countries, the United States and Mexico.”
Hernández thanked Robert B. Barnes, president and CEO of International Bank of Commerce in Austin, for his presence.
“Each one of you has a message to deliver at this time. So, we need to make sure that the US and Mexico prove that they are successful partners, and by saying successful, no other region in the world exchanges $2 billion every 24 hours, as the US-Mexican partnership does. And I repeat the figure - $2 billion every 24 hours between Mexico and the US is the trading balance.”
Editor's Note: Here is Part One of a Four Part series of videos on the Consul General's event:
In brief remarks, Consul Arrieta said: “We were so honored to accompany this important delegation and to witness the incredible welcome at the Capitol of Texas in the Senate. It was an amazing day yesterday in the House of Representatives, and to see the joy that you brought with your people, with the business (leaders)… I have nothing else to say but to thank the work of all your team and the commissioner that is accompany you and all the delegation of representing this very, very strong, One City, Brownsville.”
Villarreal, the Brownsville Chamber president, thanked her board chairman Benjamin “Ben” Peña, and board member Mark Hodgson for their presence.
“He (Peña) is the gentleman that had this vision to bring Brownsville Day, with the great support of our government and international trade committee led by Mark Hodgson.”
Villarreal also thanked Brownsville City Commissioner Linda Macias, and Antonio “Tony” Rodriguez, director of cargo services and business development for Brownsville Navigation District for their support. She also thanked Glenn Hamer, president of the Texas Association of Business, and J.R. Gonzalez, executive vice chairman of the Texas Association of the Mexican American Chambers of Commerce, for their presence.
“Today is really about getting to know more what's happening in Brownsville, but most importantly, not just Brownsville but the great state of Texas. And how do we continue to evolve and grow? How do we build stronger relationships? Where are we now and where are we headed? What's the vision for Brownsville, Texas?” Villarreal asked.
“How do we continue to strengthen the workforce for business growth? How can we as businesses in Texas and Mexico partner to create opportunities such as training programs and really, most important, address workforce shortages in manufacturing, which is a leading industry, healthcare and logistics.”
To kick off the conversation, Villarreal asked Hamer to speak.
“First of all, Esmy, congratulations on bringing back Chamber Day for Brownsville. It has been smashing success, and it's incredibly important that your voice be heard at our Legislature, particularly given you are in the region of the state that is the fastest growing part of Texas,” Hamer said.
Hamer also thanked Consul General Hernández.
“Consul General, what a great honor to be here. Thank you for all that you do to advance the interests of the two top trading partners of Mexico and the United States. And you do it with dignity and joy. And you bring us all together. I always feel at home when I'm here,” Hamer said.
Hamer pointed out Texas has the strongest economy in the United States.
“We've added more jobs than any other state for many years in a row, and the trading relationship with Mexico and with our friends up north is one of the major reasons why. So, more jobs in any other state. The healthiest economy in the United States. But if you take a look at our GDP, you have to think of Texas really as a global player. It's $2.6 trillion and growing. It's a very diversified economy. So, you could argue we have the healthiest economy in the world right now. But now that SpaceX is headquartered in South Texas, well, we could say that Texas now has the strongest economy in the galaxy.”
Hamer said the USMCA is the best trade deal ever signed by the United States.
“It has led to incredible prosperity in Texas. Just look at the numbers, and I would argue the same across the United States, Mexico and Canada.”
Hamer spoke about the TN visa, a nonimmigrant visa that allows citizens of Canada and Mexico to work in the United States. It's also known as a Trade NAFTA visa.
“We need more workers. We have more jobs open in Texas than people to fill them. And the AI robots aren't quite ready yet. So we need human beings. And the TN visas, you look at the different classifications, particularly things in the STEM fields, like engineers,” Hamer said.
“When I talk to the different advanced manufacturing companies, they will tell you, there's not an exception, they need more engineers. So what we'd love to do is… enhance the linkages between our education institutions, our great community colleges on both sides of the border, our great universities on both sides of the border, and have more liquidity in the labor market, so that we can, as a region, have the labor force that we need to compete with other regions like China.”
This last point prompted Villarreal, the Brownsville Chamber leader, to point out that hundreds, if not thousands of students cross from Matamoros to Brownsville every single day.
“And we see them wholeheartedly coming in very early, waking up, crossing, doing their thing, studying and going back. The opportunities are there. And I think that we have a responsibility as a committee to continue to grow training opportunities, programs and such,” Villarreal said.
In his remarks, Gonzales, the executive vice chairman of TAMACC, pointed out this group is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
“This year, TAMACC is looking at several things. We're watching the Legislature right now to see what kind of effects are going to be coming out of that. We’re also looking at the federal level to see how those policies are going to affect business. Businesses are our number one priority. The three pillars of TAMACC are going to be advocacy, commerce and leadership,” Gonzales said.
“And we understand that our relationship with Mexico is going to be key. The last census showed that in the United States, our population is declining. Our newborns are not there. We lack workers. We do not have enough workers. If everybody looking for a job were to have a job in the United States today, we would still be, like, 2.5 million people short of workers.”
Gonzales continued: “The international relationship is going to be key. This year, TAMACC’s priority is going to be, through the Consul, to reach out into Mexico a little bit more, to start establishing those relationships. People buy from people. And for there to be good commerce, we need to get to know each other. So we're looking at instituting some trips into Mexico so we can meet the our counterparts or business, the maquiladoras, to see where the opportunities are.
“Along with that, I think it's important that we work through the proper channels and through your (Brownsville) chamber to establish some sort of binational certifications, as folks are coming over from training, we need to make sure the training is there, whether it be healthcare, different industries. There is a need. But what I'm really excited about is the opportunity that Brownsville has with your SpaceX program and your aerospace (industry). With things growing as they are, there's no reason that Brownsville and South Texas could not be a global hub for aerospace into the future.”
Gonzales said TAMACC is an organization that likes to work with and promote small and minority businesses.
“We always have our eye on the HUB program, the historically unrealized business program. Our Hispanic population in the state is over 40 percent. We are now the largest population, and I think it's imperative that our needs, our voices should be heard of the Capitol, and that our elected officials should reflect the community they serve.”
“Absolutely,” Villarreal responded.
Rodriguez, the director of cargo services and business development for Brownsville Navigation District, said that the eyes of the state are on South Texas right now. With regard to jobs, he said he had just heard from Maricela Cortez of SpaceX and she is going to need another one thousand workers by the end of the year. He said that NextDecade, the liquefied natural gas export terminal company at the Port of Brownsville, is going to need another 2,000 workers.
“We're excited that South Texas, finally… that the stars finally are lined up for us. We are excited for what's about to happen in the next 24 months.”
In offering HR 122 on the House floor, state Rep. Gamez said:
“Mr. Speaker, members, ladies and gentlemen and esteemed colleagues, I am so proud and so honored to say that we are grateful that you recognize today, January 29, 2025, as Brownsville Day at the State Capitol,” Gamez said.
“We are so grateful to have the city government here at Brownsville, our esteemed mayor and all our amazing city commissioners, our amazing chamber of commerce, some school board members and our consulate and our amazing chief of police.”
Gamez continued:
“Ladies and gentlemen, Brownsville is the southern-most city in the tip of Texas, a cultural and economic gateway to the Rio Grande Valley, Cameron County and the rest of the great State of Texas.
“Founded in 1848 and named for Mayor Jacob Brown, a hero of the Mexican American War, with a rich place in all of Texas history and our hearts. Members, Brownsville leads in innovation, space exploration, cross border trade, with an amazing focus on sustainable growth and economic development.
“Our vibrant culture reflects the strong partnership between the United States and Mexico and is celebrated through festivals and shared traditions throughout the state.
Our people of Brownsville contribute greatly to Texas' progress, fostering innovation, diversity and economic opportunity.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the Texas House of Representatives, 89th Legislature, recognizes Brownsville for our achievements, our amazing leadership and our amazing community and most certainly, our love for the State of Texas.”
Gamez then asked more than 60 Brownsville leaders who were seated in the House gallery to “stand and be recognized by your Texas House.”
