Thread: Mayor Tom Leppert invites Mexico's leaders to Dallas

Mayor Tom Leppert invites Mexico's leaders to Dallas

07:56 AM CST on Wednesday, January 30, 2008
By ALFREDO CORCHADO / The Dallas Morning News
acorchado@dallasnews.com

MEXICO CITY – Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert urged Mexican officials on Tuesday to view Dallas as a gateway and destination, inviting President Felipe Calderón, the foreign affairs minister and the Institute for Mexicans Abroad to hold their bi-annual meeting in Dallas this April.

The institute's 126-member board, which meets twice a year and has met outside of Mexico only once, in Atlanta, looks out for the interests of Mexican nationals abroad.


AP
Tom Leppert looks at a mural by Mexian artist Diego Rivera at the Education Secretary building in Mexico City. The Mexican president usually attends the meetings with Mexico's expatriates, and Mr. Leppert said he would make the case to Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa for holding it in Dallas.

"I will certainly extend the invitation to President Calderón because I think it's very important for the president to visit Dallas," Mr. Leppert said. "The meeting will help reaffirm in people's mind that Dallas is an international city and we're excited to be able to host such an important event."

In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon, Ms. Espinosa said that the Mexican government would study Mr. Leppert's invitation.

Mr. Leppert finished the first leg of a three-day trade trip to Mexico by announcing that the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce will soon open an office in Mexico City to promote economic ties between Mexico and Dallas.

The trade mission is Mr. Leppert's first international journey on behalf of Dallas since becoming mayor in June – and the first trade mission to Mexico by a Dallas mayor since Ron Kirk traveled there in 2001, city officials say. And it is one that he said would generate long-term benefits for North Texas' corporate, medical and educational institutions.

In a breakfast meeting with tourism officials, he touted Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, the revitalized Arts District and "the best shopping and dining areas anywhere in the United States."

Historically, Mexico City residents have viewed San Antonio, Houston and even Miami as shopping and dining destinations. Dallas has been seen by some as too polarizing – a neighbor to both Irving and Farmers Branch, cities whose policies targeting illegal immigrants make some in Mexico angry.

But Mr. Leppert said he hopes to change that mindset.

He tackled the issue head on when asked by the Mexican media why Mexicans should invest in a region not always kind to their countrymen.

Comparing Dallas to either Irving or Farmers Branch "is unfair," Mr. Leppert said, adding that Dallas is "empathetic" to the plight of undocumented immigrants.

"It's certainly the wrong way to go, having municipalities determine federal policies," he said.

"We need the federal government and we need Congress to step up. Dallas is a culturally diverse city with a strong Hispanic presence, whether in business, school board or city council. That's the relevant message we want to get out."

The foreign minister praised Mr. Leppert's call for "comprehensive immigration reform" and policies in Dallas "aimed at improving the quality of life of all Mexicans living in that city."

City Councilman Steve Salazar, one of four council members accompanying Mr. Leppert on the trip, said that the "goal in Dallas is to make the city a vibrant place with a great quality of life for everyone, regardless of their undocumented status. Checking their status is not our job."


Dallas in the running

Mr. Leppert might have scored a top client: Mexico City.

During an informal chat, his Mexico City counterpart, Marcelo Ebrard, told Mr. Leppert about the city's plans to open offices to promote migrant, cultural and trade ties with Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and soon a city in Texas.

"We're looking at San Antonio, Houston and Dallas," Mr. Ebrard said.

"Where's Houston?" quizzed Mr. Leppert, catching Mr. Ebrard off guard.

"I forgot my map," Mr. Ebrard responded.

Mr. Leppert then proceeded to list a number of reasons the Mexico City office should be in Dallas – highlighting geography and "our strength, diversity."

Mr. Ebrard responded: "That makes a lot of sense. We're going to open in Dallas."

Dallas and other Mexico City officials erupted in applause at which point Mr. Leppert presented Mr. Ebrard a gift box with Dallas Cowboys memorabilia.

Members traveling with Mr. Leppert praised what they described as the mayor's "energetic and persuasive" manner, as described by Mexican Consul General Enrique Hubbard.

"In Mexico, before you become business partners you first forge friendships, and the mayor understands that," said Mr. Hubbard, who served as host during the trip. "So by visiting Mexico, Mayor Leppert is sending a very powerful message. He's telling Mexican investors we are a diverse, international city and we want you to align yourself with a successful partner."

Councilwoman Paulina Medrano, whose parents migrated from Mexico, added that the "trip is incredibly important for me personally and for the city's future."


Education issues

Perhaps one of the key issues for the trip was a discussion with education officials in Mexico, including Carlos Garcia de Alba, director general of the International Affairs office under the Education Ministry.

Hispanic students make up about 67 percent of the student population in the Dallas Independent School District.

And Mr. Leppert expressed concern about a dropout rate among Hispanics of 50 percent – a number he said needs to come down dramatically if Dallas is to remain a competitive city.

Mr. de Alba said the Mexican government would like to make Dallas a pilot city for a 17-point education plan that includes expanding a teacher exchange program. But officials released few details.

"We want to react by taking all our tools and resources to you and add all your resources [in Dallas] so that we can improve the quality of education for both countries," said Mr. de Alba, a former Consul General of Dallas. "I don't have many opportunities to thank the city of Dallas, and this is one."

Mr. Leppert said he would study the plan with council members and school officials and tweak it if necessary before the two sides agreed to meet in April.

"We all understand that if your school is not competitive, you're just not going to compete as a city," explained Karl Zavitkovsky, director of the City of Dallas' Office of Economic Development.

Added Mr. Salazar: "Because of our cultural, economic and political ties, I feel that part of the solution to our education challenge is here in Mexico."

Mr. Leppert's trade trip continues today and includes tours of Monterrey's inland port site, medical facilities and Irving-based cosmetics giant Mary


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"I will certainly extend the invitation to President Calderón because I think it's very important for the president to visit Dallas," Mr. Leppert said. "The meeting will help reaffirm in people's mind that Dallas is an international city and we're excited to be able to host such an important event."

No Tom, Paris is an international City. Dallas is a sanctuary city created to help illegal invaders avoid the repercussions of their criminal acts. Why are you so proud of the fact that you sold out all of those American Citizens who elected you to represent their interest?

I would not be too happy about now if I were a resident of Dallas.

214-670-4054 is the mayors office
214-670-4050 for city council

Another Mayor to recall!!!




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STOP!! "Illegals get Stimulus check"
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We need everyone to help Senator Sessions....
just 8 calls and 8 e-mails but so important for our cause, lets show Sen. Sessions what alipacer's are made of!!
Instructions and contact information (below link)
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MCCAIN & HERNANDEZ ACTION ALERT!!!! TAKE ACTION NOW!!!
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Are the people of Dallas going to put up with this IDIOT WHO CALLS HIMSELF A MAYOR?

Yup the Mexican government's plan to meddle at all levels of our society to benefit their illegal population squatting in our country is working. They use the "cross-cultural" benefit b.s. double-speak to convince our government officials like this doormat Mayor in Dallas, that he needs to spend public money to train Mexican teachers, and better the education for Mexican nationals residing illegally in Dallas. This Mayor needs to be voted out and soon.