HARLINGEN — Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called on Rio Grande Valley cities to join forces to market the area as a “region.”
Yesterday, Patrick spoke before an audience of about 160 at a Harlingen Chamber of Commerce public affairs luncheon on what he called his 12th visit to the Valley.
Patrick said his push for an $800 million package has heightened security along the U.S.-Mexico border but called for more federal money to tighten gaps.
“I’m here because I care about this part of the state,” Patrick told the audience of area leaders that filled Casa de Amistad. “There’s so much potential and I want to see everyone in our state succeed.”
The audience of Valley leaders greeted Patrick with applause following his call for immigration reform.
A Republican and conservative Houston radio talk show host, Patrick was elected in 2014 after serving as a state senator from Harris County since 2007.
Patrick urged Valley leaders to unite to sell the region as a metropolitan area.
“If you stand together you’re stronger than standing alone,” Patrick said. “We want to lift the Valley up to be as strong as every other region.”
Despite national fear of Mexico’s drug violence spilling across the border, Patrick said crime was down in the Valley.
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