Homeland Security Advisory Council’s (HSAC) Southwest Border Task Force

Secretary Janet Napolitano selected Mayor Cook as a member of the task force, Border Commerce subgroup. This Task Force will work with our neighbors and colleagues in Mexico to further enhance the economic and physical security of our shared region. The task force consists of two subgroups: Border Security and Border Commerce. The interdisciplinary team of experts will contribute to the development of solutions to help guard our nation against terrorism; secure our borders; and enforce immigrations laws and improve immigration services that further protect and strengthen our national security. Their work will empower stakeholders to improve the foundation upon which the Department and the Nation will confront the challenges that lie ahead.

Regional Ecconomic Development Corporation (REDCo) –
http://www.elpasoredco.org/AboutREDCO.aspx

The El Paso Regional Economic Development Corporation (REDCo) serves as a confidential, no-fee consultant to business and industry interested in relocating or expanding their operations to the Greater El Paso, Texas area - a region which also includes portions of southern New Mexico and the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. Because we are a non-profit organization funded mostly by the local private sector, we can draw on the extensive expertise and resources of our communities, which includes the most prominent business and governmental leaders in the region. REDCo provides a wide range of professional services including the following:

Mayor Cook serves on the REDCo Board of Directors and as a non-voting member of the REDCo Executive Committee. He represents the City’s interest in our investment in REDCo. 

 

Accomplishments:

The City enlisted REDCo to assist us in attracting new industry and new jobs to our community. Since I took office in 2005, our work with REDCO has attracted 25 new companies to our city and in the process created 6,948 jobs in El Paso and 23 companies that provide 13,940 jobs in our sister city, Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico. It is important to point out that these new companies not only created jobs, but also infused millions of dollars into capital improvements, which helps add to the tax base and relieve the tax burden on our residential property owners.

Regional Ecconomic Development Corporation (REDCo) – http://www.elpasoredco.org/AboutREDCO.aspx

The El Paso Regional Economic Development Corporation (REDCo) serves as a confidential, no-fee consultant to business and industry interested in relocating or expanding their operations to the Greater El Paso, Texas area - a region which also includes portions of southern New Mexico and the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. Because we are a non-profit organization funded mostly by the local private sector, we can draw on the extensive expertise and resources of our communities, which includes the most prominent business and governmental leaders in the region. REDCo provides a wide range of professional services including the following:

Mayor Cook serves on the REDCo Board of Directors and as a non-voting member of the REDCo Executive Committee. He represents the City’s interest in our investment in REDCo. 

 

Accomplishments:

The City enlisted REDCo to assist us in attracting new industry and new jobs to our community. Since I took office in 2005, our work with REDCO has attracted 25 new companies to our city and in the process created 6,948 jobs in El Paso and 23 companies that provide 13,940 jobs in our sister city, Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico. It is important to point out that these new companies not only created jobs, but also infused millions of dollars into capital improvements, which helps add to the tax base and relieve the tax burden on our residential property owners.

Texas Municipal League (TML) - http://www.tml.org

The Texas Municipal League exists solely to provide services to Texas cities. Since its formation in 1913, the League's mission has remained the same: to serve the needs and advocate the interests of its members. The league is composed of 1,100 member cities.

Mayor R.E. Thomason served as president of the League in 1927 as did Mayor Judson Williams in 1967. Mayor Henderson (04/16/75 thru 04/23/1977) and Former Mayor Azar (06/12/089 thru 06/10/91) both served as president-elect during their tenure.

 

Mayor Cook became a member of the TML Board of Director as a director-at-large in 2005 and served as president-elect in 2008. As of October 31, 2008, Mayor Cook serves as the TML president for 2009 becoming only the 3rd Mayor from El Paso to serve as president of this influential organization.

 

Accomplishments:

The member cities elected Mayor Cook to represent their interests as not only the State level but also with the National League of Cities (http://www.nlc.org).

National League of Cities - http://www.nlc.org

Mayor Cook was elected member of the Board of Directors as of 2010 for a two-year term. Mayor Cook is the second elected official to be elected to NLC from El Paso since Mayor Judson Williams in 1968. 

 

National League of Cities Elects President and Board of Directors

Mayor Loveridge of Riverside, Calif., Chosen to Lead in 2010

 

San Antonio, Texas – The National League of Cities (NLC) has chosen its new leadership for 2010. Ronald O. Loveridge, Mayor, Riverside, Calif., was elected as new president Saturday during the organization’s annual Congress of Cities & Exposition.

 

The NLC president acts as a spokesperson for all cities across the nation, leads the Board of Directors in shaping NLC priorities and directing the advocacy, research and membership activities of the organization. The organization also provides professional development opportunities for local elected officials. 

 

The National League of Cities is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans. 

 

The membership also elected the NLC Board of Directors, headed by the president and first and second vice presidents. The Board consists of 40 local elected officials and state municipal league directors.

 

Other officers elected during the conference include:

 

The board of directors for two-year terms:

 

The board of directors for one-year term:

 

State Municipal League Directors elected to the board:

Texas Border Coalition (TBC)

A coalition consisting of mayors and county judges all along the Texas border with Mexico that advocates for issues affecting our communities. 

The coalition provides a voice of solidarity on issues such as Immigration Reform, Border Trade Security, investment in border infrastructure.

Mayor Cook currently serves as president-elect of the coalition and will take over as president in late 2009.

TEX-21 - http://www.tex21.net

TEX-21 is a strong supporter of enhanced multimodal transportation across Texas and positions its public and private entity members at the forefront of major state, national, and international transportation issues. Encompassing 70% of the State’s population, this statewide non-profit organization has grown to include numerous member cities, counties, transit, port, and other transportation authorities, international trade corridors, university and industry leaders. TEX-21 has made notable strides in its short existence, quickly becoming recognized as Texas’ preeminent voice on statewide transportation policy issues.

Participating in thoughtful discussion surrounding public private partnerships, comprehensive development agreements, toll roads, CDA’s, RMAs and other financing strategies, the 81st Texas Legislature proved to be highly engaged in funding Texas’ multimodal transportation needs. Texas Legislators’ unprecedented level of engagement with transportation signals a significant win for our cause. With SB 792 mandating a legislative study on concessions in transportation, with the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee announcing quarterly oversight hearings, and with TxDOT up for Sunset in 2009, the 81st Session has set the stage for continued deliberation and thoughtful discussion regarding all aspects of transportation policy in Texas over the next two years. TEX-21 looks forward to being a prime facilitator in these critical discussions.

 

Mayor Cook serves as a member of the Federal Committee and the Executive Committee for TEX-21 and was recently elected as vice-chair.

Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Working Group

El Paso was selected as an area eligible to apply for the Urban Area Security Initiative Grant in 2007. The El Paso Urban Area is located at the far west end of Texas with a population of approximately 800,000 people. The City of El Paso, Fort Bliss Military Base, and the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Tribal Nation are just some of the jurisdictions in the urban area. Many state and federal agencies operate in the area. The working group develops the Homeland Security initiatives and priorities for the El Paso Metropolitan Area; a strategic plan that will benefit the entire county and/or region.

 

Mayor Cook serves as a voting member in his capacity as Mayor.