| March 27, 2003 |
Washington, DC -- As part of her efforts to reach out to all of her constituents, Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-Fort Worth) today announced she has created a Hispanic Advisory Council. The group will advise Granger on substantive policy and quality-of-life issues affecting Hispanic Texans.
"The Hispanic population in Fort Worth has grown by leaps and bounds, creating unique challenges that need to be addressed," Granger said. "My goal in creating the Advisory Council is to offer my Hispanic constituents an opportunity to identify needs and shape solutions that will strengthen communities throughout North Texas."
In Fort Worth alone, the Hispanic population grew 114% in the last decade. Fort Worth is now 40% Hispanic, helping make the Dallas/Fort Worth Hispanic market the seventh largest of all U.S. cities with an annual buying power of $12 billion.
The Advisory Council will meet 2-3 times a year in Fort Worth. The diverse membership includes representatives from business, religious, media, medical, and law enforcement backgrounds. Granger views the Council as an evolving group and will continue to seek participation from all sectors of the Hispanic community.
"There is a reservoir of talent in the Fort Worth Hispanic community. I want to make sure that the issues that are on their minds – whether it’s health care, urban revitalization, or education – are at the front of the local, state, and national agendas," Granger said.
Since her election to Congress, Granger has made outreach to the Hispanic community a staple of her constituent service program. Her award-winning website offers a Spanish-language version. She employs two bilingual staffers to better assist citizens seeking help with the federal government. Last year, Granger supported a Hispanic Leadership Summit in Washington to build on progress made in a 1999 summit in Fort Worth. Also, she recently joined the congressional U.S.-Mexico Caucus, which will promote dialogue and opportunities in the special relationship between Mexico and the United States.
On March 28, Granger will introduce Hector Barreto, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, at the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 30th Anniversary Gala.