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Chamber Delegation Discussing Regional Issues in Washington, D.C.

By Scott Alevy, Vice President of Public Policy & Communications

Washington, D.C. – The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce’s mission to Washington, D.C. is in its first full day of meetings in the nation’s capital.

The "One Region, One Voice" mission kicked off on Sunday evening, September 30.  Over forty Chamber representatives are in Washington, participating in high-level meetings focused on the planning and funding of border infrastructure and transportation issues.  The delegation’s trip is highlighting regional issues, while allowing Chamber members the rare opportunity to meet with high-level Washington, D.C. officials.

Meetings today led off at the Pentagon with Donald C. Winter, the Secretary of the Navy, and covered military priorities in San Diego, the war on terror, and the proposed Pacific Gateway Center. Separate meetings follow with General Services Administrator Lurita Doan, Commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency Ralph Basham, and a discussion on the proposed cross border terminal and airport options for the San Diego region with officials at the Federal Aviation Administration.  The delegation will also meet with Mexican Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan at a reception at the Mexican Embassy.

One of the key meetings for the full delegation tomorrow, Tuesday morning, will be a lengthy senior staff-level briefing on transportation, healthcare, homeland security and border issues at the White House.  Members of the delegation will break off for smaller meetings with U.S. Treasurer Anna Cabral, talks with Assistant Secretary of Commerce Israel Hernandez, a discussion of healthcare issues with officials at the Department of Heath and Human Services, and meetings with senior congressional staff. 

The full delegation will reconvene tomorrow afternoon for a key meeting with Under Secretary of Transportation Jeffrey Shane. The meeting agenda is focused on border infrastructure, a new third border crossing, cross-border air terminal proposal, public-private partnerships, and highway funding.

Tomorrow’s activities will conclude with a reception at the home of Congresswoman Susan Davis and a private guided tour of the Capitol Building, led by Congressman Brian Bilbray.

Chamber President and CEO Ruben Barrales is among those leading the delegation. “This is a perfect opportunity for the business and civic leadership of San Diego to meet face to face with key decision makers in Washington, D.C.,” he said.  "It’s our intent to let them know our priorities, and to stay focused on solutions as we move forward.”

The delegation’s mission will wrap-up Wednesday with a "Morning on the Hill," including a breakfast at the Senate Office Building with Senator Dianne Feinstein and meetings with Senator Barbara Boxer and a number of Members of Congress.  The final discussion will be a joint meeting at the Capitol on infrastructure funding and goods movement with James Oberstar, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, and local Congressman Bob Filner, also a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee.