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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2016
Contact: Jennifer Saenz
(512) 463-0120 office
(512) 497-9411 cell
Senator Hinojosa Appointed to Senate Select Committee on Texas Ports

AUSTIN, TX -- Today, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick appointed Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa as a member of the Senate Select Committee on Texas Ports. The committee will study the economic benefit of the Panama Canal expansion to Texas ports and will focus on what our ports must do to remain competitive in this new era.

Senator Hinojosa offered the following statement regarding his appointment:

"I thank Lt. Governor Patrick for creating and appointing me to this committee. It is critical that we focus on the importance and contributions of our Texas ports that generate $270 billion a year in economic development and $6 billion in state and local taxes per year. Our ports also create 1.4 million jobs generating $82.8 billion in personal income.

Commerce and trade are vital to the development and prosperity of our modern economies. Here in Texas we are blessed with a beautiful stretch of coastline offering our economy and businesses greater access to trade and commerce through our seaports. With the expansion of the Panama Canal, more and larger ships will be in transit to and from our Texas ports.

We must also study the economic benefits of our border ports of entry as they are critical in facilitating trade with Mexico -- Texas' largest trading partner at $200 billion a year. It is essential that all our ports are primed and ready to receive increases in commerce efficiently."

Other members of the Committee include Chairman Brandon Creighton, Senators Jose Menendez, Lois Kolkhorst, Eddie Lucio, Jr., Jane Nelson, and Larry Taylor.

Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa served as the Senate President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate in the 84th Texas Legislature. Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and serves on the Senate Committees on Natural Resources & Economic Development, Criminal Justice, Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs as well as the Sunset Advisory Commission.

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