EL PASO - On Monday, February 9 and Tuesday, February 10,  2009 El Paso Mission Valley leaders will travel to the state's capitol for Valley Days in Austin.  

The two-day event gives elected and civic leaders from Ysleta, Tornillo, Fabens, Horizon City, Socorro and San Elizario an opportunity to network and meet with their state delegation on issues of importance to their communities.

Senators Eliot Shapleigh (D- Dist. 29, El Paso) and Carlos Uresti (D-Dist. 19, Bexar), and Representative Chente Quintanilla (D- District 75, El Paso) annually host the event.

“Valley Days in Austin lets us visit on Valley needs like water, sewage, broadband, roads—basic stuff. Leaders from Horizon, Socorro, San Eli, and Fabens will join Senator Uresti, Representative Quintanilla and me to go agency to agency to advocate for the people of our Mission Valley,” Senator Shapleigh said.

The event's confirmed guests include Mayor Trini Lopez of Socorro and Mayor Walter Miller of Horizon City, as well as representatives of the Horizon City and Socorro Fire Departments, Centro San Vincente health centers and the Horizon Communities Improvement Association, among others. El Paso County Commissioner Willie Gandara will also attend.

“This trip offers a grand opportunity for area civic leaders to network and meet with key state agency staff. We look forward to fostering new working relationships with key state personnel,” Commissioner Gandara said.

Last session, state government agencies and organizations presented valuable grant information to area leaders. This year, the group will meet with representatives from the Texas Water Development Board, the Texas Workforce Commission and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, among others.

El Paso's historic Mission Valley represents part of our state's rich cultural heritage. The oldest section of El Paso, it was settled in the late 17th Century by Spaniards and members of the Ysleta Pueblo tribe. Three Spanish missions were built there during the 17th and 18th centuries.

"There is no area in the State of Texas that can match the history of the Mission Valley of El Paso County.  I am very proud to represent the descendents of that history and to represent the thousands of El Pasoans who live in the Mission Valley.  February 9th will be a very special day at the Capitol," Representative Quintanilla said.