A Substance Abuse Treatment Center for Our Community

The Substance Abuse Treatment Center we fought so hard to bring to our community has a groundbreaking date of February 19 @ 10:30 a.m.

This is good news as the project we secured through a legislative appropriation years ago is finally moving forward. Although the groundbreaking is a symbolic event, we must continue to remind our county leaders that maintenance funds have to be budgeted in order for this important center to continue forward.

This has been a long and difficult journey but it completes a promise I made to myself and the people I represent when I began my public service.

Champions? The Saints, Dat’s Who

After 42 years of trying the New Orleans Saints are the Superbowl Champions and they've brought their city along with them. Congratulations to our own Texas MVP Drew Brees.

The New York Times story.

"Another Shade of Brown" by Dr. Beverly Fridie

"Another Shade of Brown" by Dr. Beverly Fridie, this was the presentation made today at the Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg, Texas. The subject comes from the doctoral dissertation by Dr. Fridie about her adopted community of Edinburg, Texas. What was the effect of Brown v. the Board of Education on the small South Texas community? Because of a variety of factors it was slowly implemented but when allowed to take place, dramatically changed the environment for the better.

She also laid out the significance of the life of Melissa D. Betts to the surrounding community. This early African-American educator taught black children in the city schools at a time of segregation. Tomorrow I will attend a dedication ceremony at the Melissa D. Betts Elementary School in recognition of her service and those who fought for her memory.

I asked Dr. Fridie if she intended to publish her findings and she professed that she would in order to keep the stories from fading away.

My congratulations.

1st Place Ribs!! 1st Place Beans!!

JUST IN: 1st Place Ribs!! 1st Place Beans!! Best darn legislative/cooking team in South Texas. Nice trophies for the Delta office.

Not bad for some older dudes.

Another Successful Edinburg 10K

I had a great time this morning at yet another successful Edinburg 10K. Last year there where a little over 4000 participants. This year we had 7000. I addressed the participants this morning and then sat in the truck bed of the lead auto where I got a number of great photographs.



The first place finish was MacDonard Ondara (above) with 28.57. Alene Shewarge of Ethiopia, shown below, was the first female to cross the line in 33.37.



My congratulations to all the winners and organizers. Most importantly congratulations to all that made this day fun:

Happy 99th Birthday President Reagan

Going To The City of Edinburg 10K

For 28-years the Edinburg 10K Run/Walk has been one of the biggest sporting events in South Texas. I'm doing my part this morning to join in.

This annual event attracts over 6,000 participants and thousands of supporters/spectators along the race route. The All America 10K/2 Mile Run is the one of the largest road race in Texas and elite runners come from as far away as Africa and across Texas and Mexico to compete in the annual City of Edinburg All America 10K Run/Walk.

This family-oriented event promotes wellness and fitness with participants ranging in ages 3 to 80. The 2-Mile Fun Walk starts at 830 AM. The 10K Run starts at 10:30 AM.

See you there.

Bill White's Second Commercial

Edinburg State of the City Address

In Edinburg, Mayor Richard Garcia will today address the state of the city. It takes place at the Edinburg Auditorium.

My 2010 Commercial

Nobody is running against me this 2010 season. So low budget YouTube advertising is the best I can do. Here's my one ad for the political season filmed off of my iPhone.

My thanks to highly acclaimed CNN/Oprah/National Geographic journalist, Lisa Ling, for the plug.

Agreement with Teleperformance Adds 90 new Jobs in Edinburg

EDINBURG, Texas, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on its long history in South Texas and investments in the state, CPL Retail Energy is expanding its Texas-based customer care operations by over 20 percent, bringing 90 new jobs to the Rio Grande Valley.

"The Valley is a great place for CPL to locate a portion of our customer care operations," said Jim Steffes, Vice President and General Manager of CPL Retail Energy. "Area residents are familiar with the CPL brand, how we operate as a business and what our company stands for."

The location also allows CPL to tap into a strong bilingual community from which to hire, "helping us to meet the needs of our Texas English- and Spanish-speaking customers," Steffes added.

CPL Retail Energy has contracted with Teleperformance to leverage a call center facility in Edinburg, TX – at the heart of CPL's footprint – to meet some of the company's specialized, bilingual, customer-care needs for Texas customers.

At a time when others are laying off employees, CPL is expanding their operations and that is to be commended said State Rep. Veronica Gonzales who attended the announcement. "By expanding their operations in the Valley and investing in upgrades to their processes to deliver a high-quality of customer service, CPL is proving their commitment to our region and to the state."

Though the facility and employees are Teleperformance's, CPL's selection of this customer care partner results in 90 new jobs in the region, said Felix Martinez, COO of Teleperformance Mexico. "The agents are now hired and trained, and they have been actively supporting CPL's customer care needs since the beginning of the new year, managing a portion of the company's English- and Spanish-language Texas residential customer calls," according to Rodriguez.

"South Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley in particular have much to offer companies who are making it a priority to invest in Texas," said State Rep. Aaron Pena, who attended Tuesday's announcement.

CPL currently owns and operates a call center outside of Dallas employing approximately 400 Texans, and contracts with a call center provider in Corpus Christi, supporting about 80 jobs in the Coastal Bend. The company also owns and operates three natural gas-fired power plants including the Frontera Energy Center just outside of Mission.

"We're invested in Texas," said Steffes, "and we are committed to our customers in Texas."

Today's Vist by Lisa Ling to the University of Texas - Pan American

Last time I met CNN journalist Lisa Ling, I told her about the region of the state where I lived and asked her if she was familiar with it. After our conversation I told her she was always welcome.

Today she will take that visit as she comes to the University of Texas - Pan American in Edinburg. She will be speaking at the UTPA Fine Arts Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.

Lisa Ling, as you may know, appeared as a co-host on The View. She also appears on The National Geographic Channel's Explorer and acts as a special correspondent to the Oprah Winfrey Show and CNN.

Long time friend of my colleague, Rep. Mark Strama, (who introduced her to me), I shared with both of them that her work provided a great service to our country. Her travels and stories from around the world help Americans to understand the planet and it's people. I am looking forward to her visit.

For more information or special accommodation for today's event, call the university at 956-316-7989.

Today's Journey Home

Trusted Rocinante because of years of faithful use is laid up at home. I've jumped on the company jet (Southwest Airlines) for today's journey home. Got a lot done. Visited with the Texas Speaker's office and Texas military forces leadership about the new appointment to chair the House Committee on Texas' emergency preparedness. Coming home with a framework on where the committee should begin. Have planned visits for the next trip to Austin.



Made a few more public service announcements for the upcoming census and met with people who are important to our future success as a community. All in all, one productive visit to the capitol city.

Apple’s iPad - The Newest Tablet Computer

The iPad, Apple’s long-awaited tablet computer was introduced moments ago.

Steve Jobs, Apple’s founder and CEO, called the tablet a “third category” that had to be “better than a laptop and better than a smartphone.” He demoed web surfing, e-mail (in two panels), the touch-screen iPhone-esque keyboard, iTunes, iPhoto, and video.

The iPad weighs 1.5 lbs, and is a half-inch thick, and has a 9.7-inch display, with full-capacitive multitouch. It has a 10-hour battery life, and it can run iPhone apps full-screen.

Now I have to wonder what to do with my Kindle.