Chamber Advocacy
CB to DC is a critically important part of what the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce does on behalf of our community. The purpose is to educate elected officials on the issues important to the Coastal Bend, and to advocate on behalf of the business community. This year’s CB to DC trip hosted 21 elected officials and business leaders of the Coastal Bend on a 2 day venture to our nation’s capital. Some of the participants included Mayor of Corpus Christi Nelda Martinez, Mayor of Ingleside Pete Perkins, Chairman of the Port of Corpus Christi Authority Charles Zahn, Port Commissioner Wes Hoskins and Del Mar Regent Carol Scott. Business representatives included Bob Paulison representing Port Industries and the Padre Island Business Association, Rosie Gonzalez Collin, Chairman of the Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Alan Wilson, Chairman of the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce.
The trip participants met with capitol hill leaders such as the Senate Majority Whip, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), House Majority Whip Steven Scalise (R-LA), Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee Kevin Brady (R-TX), Chairman of the House Transportation Committee Bill Shuster (R-PA), Congressman Filemon Vela (D-TX), and Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee Michael McCaul (R-TX). Texas is in a unique position at the moment, with Texas members holding 7 chairmanships in the House including Armed Services and the second highest post in the senate (Majority Whip).
During these meetings, delegates presented the issues which are important to the Coastal Bend, all of which were outlined in our Federal Legislative Agenda. Some of the topics included wind farm encroachment on our naval air stations, the unfinished U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters
building at Corpus Christi International Airport, the deepening and widening of our ship channel, and opposition to the Department of Labor’s proposed overtime
rule. Discussions were lively and we discovered many opportunities to advance our agenda.
The trip wasn’t all work, the Coastal Bend Delegation was invited to a reception hosted by Cheniere Energy. Members had a chance to network with Cheniere’s government affairs team at the famous Willard Hotel. Afterwards, they attended a dinner for Congressman Blake Farenthold which was generously sponsored by the Port of Corpus Christi. The Congressman’s staff is instrumental in setting up the meetings on the hill and dinner is our way of saying thank you to them, and the Congressman for all his efforts on our behalf.
I am pleased to already be able to report a positive outcome of the recent visit. Recently, Texas Senator Ted Cruz announced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act on Renewable Energy Hazard Assessments which requires that every renewable energy project which will be reviewed by the DOD Site
Positive Outcome from 2016 CB to DC
10 Business Matters / June, 2016
By Ginny Cross, Director of Public Affairs