(Austin, TX) — Earlier today, a delegation of community leaders from throughout the Coastal Bend joined Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, Senator Judith Zaffirini and Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. on the Senate floor to commemorate Coastal Bend Day at the State Capitol as officially designated by Senate Resolution 365.

"Apart from its beautiful beaches, like Padre Island National Seashore and the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, the Coastal Bend area is an economic powerhouse," Senator Juan Hinojosa said. "The area houses the 6th largest port in the nation - millions of dollars move though there."

"The region also offers numerous educational opportunities." Senator Hinojosa said. "Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Texas A&M Kingsville and Del Mar college offer local and statewide Texans a world class education."

The delegation's agenda included legislative meetings and a Coastal Bend Legislative Day Reception at the Belmont Restaurant. All three Senators thanked the delegation for being present at the State Capitol.

"It was my pleasure to co-author SR 365 with Senator Hinojosa and Senator Lucio, commemorating Coastal Bend Day at the Texas Capitol," Senator Zaffirini said. "Five of the counties I represent in the Texas Senate are in the Coastal Bend, a region notable not only for its natural beauty, but also for its economic diversity."

"My district hosts the southern tip of Coastal Bend and I am very proud of its people and everything they do." Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. said. "It's a place of beauty, it's an economic engine, and more importantly it's home." "I want to thank the delegation for making the trip to Austin; it gave me a chance to discuss the area's legislative priorities in further detail and gave us an opportunity to showcase the region's richness to other state law makers. I am proud to represent the Coastal Bend," Senator Juan Hinojosa concluded.

Four leaders from the Coastal Bend's visiting delegation were recognized on the floor of the Senate and greeted by the applause of the senators. They included Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal, San Patricio County Judge Terry Simpson, Corpus Christi Mayor Joe Adame, and Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce Board President Wes Hoskins.

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