AUSTIN – The challenges and opportunities of U.S. and Mexican border communities, including El Paso, will be addressed by border officials from both countries this Friday, March 30 at the 15th Border Legislative Conference (BLC) in Chihuahua, Mexico.  Senator Shapleigh, BLC Vice Chair, serves as an appointee of Lt. Governor David Dewhurst.

The BLC is a binational program that brings together legislators from the ten U.S. and Mexico border states to address challenges and economic opportunities common to both countries. The BLC serves as a primary mechanism for sustained dialogue and collaboration among U.S. and Mexican state officials.  The BLC also seeks to establish efficient and strategic collaborative efforts with multi level governments and nongovernmental organizations to the end that border communities can be strengthened and improved.  

At the upcoming legislative conference, officials will discuss immigration, drug addiction and intervention, border trade and infrastructure, and human trafficking.  In the area of trade, as chair of the BLC Economic Development Committee, Senator Shapleigh has worked to develop and implement the New Border Trade Proposal.  The proposal recommends the establishment of fast, safe, intelligent border bridges to speed movement of people and product.

The project entails the equipping of commercial vehicles and manufacturing facilities with Intelligent Software Agents and Information Technology Systems, and provides a renewed framework to enhance supply chain visibility by linking manufacturing and custom operations to enhance security, inoperability, and expedited clearance of commercial shipments at the border. 

In December 2005, the members of the BLC unanimously adopted the New Border Trade Proposal in El Paso.  Collaboration, strategic planning, and commitment among federal, state, and local governments in the U.S. and Mexico, as well as the private sector and border communities, is essential to develop a border system that is safe, fast, and smart for the 21st Century.

Recent figures from the U.S. Department of Commerce show that Texas leads all states in cross-border commerce with $108.6 billion in goods from Mexico, which constitutes 68% of its total imported goods.   The "Twin Plant" or maquiladora industry contributes $105 billion of that total.   

"As immigration bills in Washington, D.C. define our region, El Paso-Juárez must push for secure, fast, smart movement of people and products to grow good jobs," said Senator Shapleigh.

In addition, a press conference on outcomes of the BLC is tentatively scheduled for 5:40 p.m. on March 30 at the Hotel Westin Soberano Chihuahua, Barranca de Cobre, No. 3211, Fracc. Barrancas, Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico.     

To obtain a copy of meeting agenda and general information, please visit the BLC website at www.borderlegislators.org and click on “meeting calendar.”

What:      15th Border Legislative Conference

When:     Friday, March 30: 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Where:    Hotel Westin Soberano Chihuahua

               Barranca de Cobre, No. 3211, Fracc. Barranca

               Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico 31125

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BLC Membership

Chair: Diputado Juan Jose Gonzalez Espinoza, Chihuahua State Legislature

Vice Chair: Senator Eliot Shapleigh, Texas State Senate

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