Traditional Cutting of the Fruit (l to r) – Texas State Representative Sergio Muñoz, Jr., Texas State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., Consul de Mexico in McAllen Socorro Guadalupe Jorge Cholula, Chairman of the Pharr International Bridge Board Edgar Delgadillo, and Pharr Bridge Director Luis Bazan.
Pharr, Texas – Surrounded by brightly displayed fresh fruits and vegetables, the City of Pharr kicked-off the start of the 2019-2020 Produce Season at the Pharr International Bridge alongside dignitaries and produce growers, importers, distributors, and consumers from the United States and Mexico.
“Pharr takes great pride in being the largest land port of entry for fruits and vegetables,” remarked Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. at the start of the event. “We have invested in our bridge infrastructure and technology, continue to increase our produce imports, improve crossings and wait times of commercial vehicles and have worked closely with our partners at the state and federal levels to ensure that our port of entry continues to expand capacity and meet the demands of our growing economy,” he continued. “Produce plays an integral role in our regional and international economy, and here in Pharr we are proud to be the gateway for these products as they enter into the United States and get distributed to the rest of the nation,” he added.
The Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge has evolved into the largest land port for fruits and vegetables in the nation, surpassing Nogales, Arizona as the leading port of entry for Mexican produce and goods. Currently, the Pharr International Bridge crosses more than 60% of all the fresh produce coming from Mexico through Texas land ports of entry.
“The Pharr International Bridge has forged strong partnerships on both sides of the border with distributors, growers, and importers, to ensure that we are meeting the demands of the industry,” said Pharr Bridge Director Luiz Bazan. “Although we experienced a few rough months during the threatened closing of the border, we came up with innovative schedules for our commercial trucks which paid off,” he continued. “Our figures show that we have already exceeded the number of trucks and produce that entered through Pharr this year compared to the same period last year,” added Bazan. “Pharr continues to invest, plan, and work together with all our partners to expand our opportunities.”
The U.S. has consistently remained Mexico’s No. 1 trading partner for produce and goods and Pharr’s ideal geographical location has resulted in not only a great partnership between the two countries, but also in the growth of their produce trading capacity.
Pharr, Texas – The Pharr International Bridge will host a special celebration to kick-off the start of the 2019-2020 Produce Season and will celebrate the occasion alongside produce growers, importers, distributors, and consumers from the United States and Mexico.
The annual “Start of the Produce Season” event will take place at 10 am, Thursday, October 10th, 2019, at the Pharr International Bridge (9900 S. Cage, Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577).
“Pharr continues to remain the leader as the port with the largest amount of produce entering the United States,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “Our Pharr International Bridge director, board, and staff have done a wonderful job working with all our partners to continue to expand growth and access through our bridge and we look forward to another record-setting season,” he added.
Pharr city officials, as well as special guest State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, among other notable representatives from the produce industry on both sides of the border, are scheduled to attend the event.
The U.S. has consistently remained Mexico’s No. 1 trading partner for produce and goods and Pharr’s ideal geographical location has resulted in not only a great partnership between the two countries, but also in the growth of their produce trading capacity. The Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge has evolved into the largest land port for fruits and vegetables in the nation, surpassing Nogales, Arizona as the leading port of entry for Mexican produce and goods. Currently, the Pharr International Bridge crosses more than 60% of all the fresh produce coming from Mexico through Texas land ports of entry.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: Pharr to Host Celebration to Kick-Off the Start of the 2019-2020 Produce Season
WHEN: TOMORROW, Thursday, October 10, 2019, at 10 am
WHERE: The Pharr International Bridge (9900 S. Cage, Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577)
Officials Ceremoniously Turn the Dirt for Groundbreaking (l to r): Dr. Daniel King, PSJA ISD Superintendent, Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, Mayor of Pharr, Dr. Guy Bailey, President of UTRGV, Dr. John H. Krouse, UTRGV School of Medicine Dean, Eleazar Guajardo, Pharr City Commissioner, Carlos G. Villegas, Jr., PSJA ISD School Board Member, Sergio Munoz, Jr., Texas State Representative (D-36), Victor Perez, Pharr EDC Director and PSJA ISD School Board Member, and Jesus “Jesse” Vela, Jr., PSJA ISD School Board Member.
Pharr, Texas – Amid a crowd of enthusiastic swimming athletes, community members, and elected officials, the City of Pharr broke ground on an exciting new project, the Pharr Natatorium, a facility that will forever change the city’s ever-growing landscape. The Pharr Natatorium is a years-in-the-making project in partnership with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District that will soon add to the vibrancy and hub of the city.
“My son is an avid swimmer and my wife and I have had the privilege of cheering him on during many competitions,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “I have seen the sport grow not only amongst the students and children of Pharr but throughout the Rio Grande Valley,” he added.
As he and other city leaders began discussing the idea, they began thinking of potential partners that would also benefit from this facility and over several years the project began taking shape. Pharr continues to lead the way in collaborative efforts and innovative partnerships with local educational institutions and has proudly partnered with UTRGV and PSJA ISD to bring this Natatorium to fruition while benefiting student-athletes and academics alike.
UTRGV plans to construct a Sports Medicine Institute adjacent to the facility wherein medical students will have the opportunity to practice, learn, and work with the community to provide sports medicine therapy and care. Additionally, the Natatorium will be used by PSJA ISD athletes for swimming practices and competitions.
The facility will feature an Olympic-size swimming pool, diving facilities, and spectator seating, among many other amenities.
“I am proud of the teamwork and efforts we have all contributed as a collective group while working to make the Natatorium a reality,” Hernandez added. “I am especially proud of the legacy our city leadership is creating for our future students, families, athletes, and medical students,” he continued. “Pharr is transitioning into an educational hub, providing more opportunities than ever to our community and working with our many local institutions and partners to foster a college-going culture and unlimited possibilities for our students here in the Rio Grande Valley,” he said.
Pictured are (l to r): Dr. Guy Bailey, President of UTRGV, Dr. Daniel King, PSJA ISD Superintendent, Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, Mayor of Pharr, and Dr. John H. Krouse, UTRGV School of Medicine Dean.
Redesigned Patch Unveiled as Part of Inaugural First Responders Festival FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr Police Department is excited to unveil its newly redesigned police patch. The redesigned patch and logo includes a more modern look and feel, and is intended to capture the essence of the City of Pharr and the work that the police force does to serve and protect its citizens.
According to Pharr Police Chief Jose Luengo, the police patch is the identity, brand, and source of pride for officers and employees of the department. Patches are proudly sported on the police uniform. Over the years, there have been different versions of the patch, including elements such as the outline of Hidalgo County, the seal of the State of Texas, and an even earlier one only had the words “Pharr Police.” Previous versions of the Pharr Police Patch
The new patch was designed to incorporate certain elements that represented specific values and incorporated the seals of the State of Texas and the City of Pharr.
Elements include: -Oak Branch which represents strength -Olive Branch which represents peace -Lone Star to represent the Great State of Texas -City Seal maintains consistency with city identity and brand – Community, Progress, Learning, Pride New Police Patch
“We wanted a modernized look and feel for our new police patch,” said Chief Luengo. “Our community has grown tremendously over the years, and our police force has done such great work to ensure the safety and security of our Pharr families, while also instilling and fostering a strong sense of pride and enhanced community outreach and relations,” he continued.
“Wearing this badge of honor will continue to demonstrate to our Pharr citizens and families that we are here to serve to protect our communities through peace, strength, and with pride for our community and our state,” Luengo added. The new police patch was unveiled to coincide with Pharr’s inaugural First Responders Festival, which combines the former separate Pharr Night Out and Pharr Fire Fest events held by the City of Pharr. The First Responders Festival was created to celebrate and honor not only the work of Pharr police and fire staff, but also expanding its purpose to honor all first responders, including EMTs, telecommunications officers, and more. The Pharr First Responders Festival will be held TOMORROW, Saturday, September 28, 2019, from 6 pm to 11 pm in Downtown Pharr.
This event is FREE and open to the public.
All media and the public are invited to attend. DETAILS What: Pharr First Responders Festival When: TOMORROW, Saturday, September 28, 2019, from 6 pm to 11 pm Where: Downtown Pharr
Pharr to Break Ground on New Natatorium TOMORROW, Friday, 9/27 @ 11 am
Pharr, Texas– The City of Pharr, in coordination with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District, is proud to announce the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the city’s first-ever Natatorium. The ceremony will take place TOMORROW, Friday, September 27, 2019, at 11 am at the Natatorium’s future location (NW Corner Sioux Road and 281) in Pharr.
“The City of Pharr is proud to continue our legacy of educational partnerships within our community and we are especially proud to partner with UTRGV and PSJA ISD on this Natatorium, an innovative and educational facility that will serve our community for future generations,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “We are very excited about the many opportunities this partnership will provide and look forward to the continued growth of our UTRGV Medical School and community swimming programs,” he added.
UTRGV plans to construct a Sports Medicine Institute adjacent to the facility wherein medical students will have the opportunity to practice, learn, and work with the community to provide sports medicine therapy and care. Additionally, the Natatorium will be used by PSJA ISD athletes for swimming practices and competitions. The facility will feature a 50-meter competition pool, a dive pool with springboards and platforms, and spectator seating.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: City of Pharr Natatorium Ground Breaking Ceremony
