Legendary news reporter kicks off SA to DC briefings

CBS News Senior White House correspondent Bill Plante shared presidential stories and his view of Washington as a longtime political reporter that helped to put the SA to DC delegation in the mood for taking our Federal Legislative Agenda to Capitol Hill at the kickoff breakfast meetings on February 3. He told the delegation that he saw that passing immigration reform is an area where "something big" might actually get done this year.

He also talked about how the Republican party continued to lack discipline, making it hard to predict if they would be able to take the Senate in the mid term elections this November. Plante reaffirmed that the number one opportunity they should focus on is the economy and jobs; however, he was not sure the party would.

Looking forward to the 2016 Presidential election, Plante said that there are 15 or more candidates in the Republican party who will take a shot at the primaries. He said for the Democrats, "it is either Hillary Clinton, or it's not. She is certainly the only candidate right now, if she decides to run."

Plante has been a CBS News White House correspondent during the administrations of Ronald Reagan (beginning in 1981), Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. During the administration of the first President Bush, he was CBS News' State Department correspondent (1989-92). Plante's reports are seen regularly on "CBS This Morning," where he is senior White House correspondent, and the "CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley."

Plante has been based in CBS News' Washington bureau since December 1976. He has covered every Presidential campaign since 1968.He shared several stories at the breakfast that were highlights from his 50-year career covering politics and Washington.

Watch his presentation here.

Having winners and losers is fine for the Super Bowl, not governance

We start out our SA to DC trip with a Super Bowl watching party, and a strong list of priorities that will propel business and community success. Most who come to watch the game will have a favorite team, however, tomorrow, we will lean heavily on our elected officials to find common ground to solve our nation's challenges for a win-win in Washington. Wouldn't that be a refreshing change?

Click here to view the slideshow and see who was there.

Congressman Smith Working on Bipartisan Projects

Rep. Lamar Smith, chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Committee, has a poster in his office from the Hubble Space Telescope’s Ultra-Deep Field survey. The image depicts a small area of the sky notable for its low density of bright stars – a dark area, The Hubble image reveals that this dark area actually contains thousands of galaxies each consisting of billions of stars.

Smith suggested that there’s a metaphysical interpretation of that image for today’s dysfunctional environment in Washington: Even in the darkest times, it’s possible to find sources of light. As a committee chairman, Smith has been a trailblazer in hosting bipartisan committee retreats.

Congressman Doggett Talks Tourism and Economic Development

Rep. Lloyd Doggett told SA to DC participants that San Antonio’s Spanish colonial missions aren’t just artistically and historically important, they’re also a source of economic development for the South Side and a magnet for tourists. The effort to expand the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, he said, was being hampered by a “fanatical belief” by some members of Congress that the federal government should not acquire another inch of land.

Doggett complimented the work of Bexar County and the San Antonio River Authority on the Mission Reach of the river improvements project and said that a proposal to restore San Antonio’s West Side creeks would be another important step for economic development.

Late Reception features Mayor Castro and Congressman Castro

Today, San Antonio leaders participating in the SA to DC trip began to arrive at the San Antonio International Airport as early as 4:00 a.m. Discussions and planning started amongst the delegation members on topics including Small Business, Immigration, Military, and other focus issues important to the economic growth of our very own Alamo City. They are prepared to advocate on behalf of the more than 40,000 small business owners in the San Antonio metropolitan area. Arriving at 10:00 a.m. in Baltimore was soon followed by a 45-minute shuttle ride to our hotel, Marriott at Metro Center, where a late afternoon reception was held to welcome the San Antonio Delegation. A special thanks goes out to our very own San Antonio Mayor, Julian Castro and Congressman Joaquin Castro for answering questions from reception guests and our distinguished moderator, Ron Fournier, Editorial Director for The National Journal.

What happens before the group arrives?

by Michael Vela
In preparation for the San Antonio delegation to arrive in Washington DC on Tuesday, March 5th the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Chamber staff spent the day walking the halls of the nation’s Capitol, confirming appointments with respective State Representatives and Congressmen. This year's SA to DC trip is a partnership between the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Free Trade Alliance and The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. Together, we will host a delegation consisting of more than 150 business leaders, state and local elected officials from San Antonio at the Nation’s Capitol.

This year’s delegation consists of 12 committees: Small Business, Immigration, Military, Healthcare & Bioscience, Transportation, Water, International Trade, Education, Technology, Manufacturing, Aerospace, and Hospitality & Tourism.

Also, Hispanic Chamber President & CEO, Ramiro Cavazos, along with Jose Maria Gonzalez, Director of International Business, and Michael Vela, Director of Communications were delighted to visit with former San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, Louis Escareño on Sunday.

Mayor Castro and Congressman Castro to kickoff SA to DC events

SA to DC 2013 starts off with a bang this year with a lively discussion on three topics with Mayor Julián Castro and Congressman Joaquin Castro, moderated by National Journal Editorial Director Ron Fournier. The opening event is a rare opportunity to catch the two together and talk about federal and local priorities on education, military relations and immigration reform.

Fournier has also made recent headlines because he joined several seasoned journalists to challenge White House tactics on their recent management of press relationships. He is also outspoken about the broken politics across our nation's capitol. In fact, today's blog suggests that President Obama and Speaker of the House John Boehner need to grow up. 

Read it here:

Adult Leadership Required to Clean Up the Mess in Washington

by Ron Fournier

Congressman Charlie Gonzalez: Why can't we collaborate more?

US Congressman Charlie Gonzales (TX Dist. 20) issued a challenge to the next Congress to learn how to collaborate and compromise for the good of the nation. He addressed the SA to DC delegation for his last time before his retirement on Feburary 29, 2012. Congressman Gonzalez, always a favorite in San Antonio, talked candidly about the partisan politics and how it has hurt our nation's ability to move forward on important issues. Hear his entire address here.

Senator John Cornyn: What is holding our economy back?

US Senator John Cornyn addressed the SA to DC delegation on February 29. He reported that that the Federal Government "is broke." Looking back, he said constituents would be able to come to his office and ask for federal aid, and often he could provide needed aid. However under the current situation, tougher choices are being made. They are facing too much spending and everyone needs to find ways to cut budgets. He shared good news that the economy is showing some signs of recovery, but there are some things that are holding back the recovery. Cornyn said some of what may cause a slower recovery is the uncertainty and a growing regulatory environment. Listen to his entire address here.

Congressman Canseco addresses the SA to DC delegation

US Congressman Francisco Canseco (TX Dist. 23)told the SA to DC delegation heard cheers when he said he will push hard to pass a bill that would provide funding for revitalizing the missions in San Antonio. This is his entire address to the delegation.

Congressman Lloyd Doggett discusses issues facing the nation

US Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TXDist. 25) who will potentially seek reelection for the new Congressional district that includes some of Austin going down into San Antonio addresses the SA to DC delegation for the first time. He remarked that he had the opportunity to meet with most of the issue teams personally to talk about the priorities for San Antonio. This is his entire address to the delegation.

Congressman Cuellar outlines his priorities for the year

US Congressman from south Texas Henry Cuellar talks about the proposed new district lines for Texas and outlines his ongoing priorities. This is his whole address to the 2012 SA to DC delegation.

Lou Diamond Phillips sighted

by Jeff Coyle kgbtexasdmt

Brooks City-Base chairman Manny Pelaez-Prada, ever the social connector, spotted actor Lou Diamond Phillips sitting in the P.O.V. bar above the W hotel next to the White House. Manny introduced him to our group of SA to DC delegates, and we spent the next hour talking politics and Texas with the La Bamba star.

Phillips grew up in Corpus Christi and went to the University of Texas at Arlington. He’s performed in San Antonio’s Majestic Theater and been woken up in his Houston Street hotel room by the sound of the Stock Show & Rodeo’s annual Cattle Drive.

Phillips was in D.C. shooting episodes of An Officer and a Movie, which offers some of the best military and war movies ever made, along with commentary from troops who know the true stories.

– Jeff Coyle –

San Antonio Sends More than 100 Business and Elected Leaders to Washington, DC

A record number of business and community leaders from San Antonio are gearing up for The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce’s 32nd Annual SA to DC trip March 21-24. And the timing could not be more critical.

Participants have scheduled small group visits with legislators and members of the administration regarding 12 issues that are identified as priority for San Antonio. Priorities for this year are: aerospace, air quality, bioscience, education, health care, immigration, information technology, international trade, military, small business, transportation and water.

“What makes this trip so impactful is that lawmakers hear a unified voice from our city on critical issues that face our community,” said Chamber President and CEO Richard Perez.

Key individuals attending this year’s event include Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro, County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson, and City Manager Sheryl Sculley. The business community will be represented by CEOs, Presidents, local Superintendents and other executives from the area’s largest industry sectors.

The 2010 Legislative Agenda is full of topics that can shape the future of San Antonio in many areas. A complete legislative agenda, schedule and list of participants is available and being updated daily online at The Chamber’s SA to DC web site. The SA to DC trip is produced in partnership with the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Schedule highlights:
Monday, March 22
• “Washington Political Update” presented by former Congressional Representatives Jim Chapman and Susan Molinari (Bracewell & Giuliani)
• visit to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and briefing by US Chamber President, Tom Donohue
• a group representing San Antonio’s military affairs interests will visit the Pentagon
• reception at the Canadian Embassy

Tuesday, March 23
• presentation on national security by the former Director of the National Security Agency and Former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Michael Hayden, USAF Gen. (ret)
• briefing on cyber security from Dr. Peter Fonash, Chief Technology Officer, Cyber Security and Communications, Department of Homeland Security
• discussion on the challenges in the Washington DC school district by Michelle Rhee, Chancellor of Washington, DC Schools

Wednesday, March 24• briefing from the Federal Highway Administrator, Victor M. Mendez