Tijuana Mayor Jorge Enrique Astiazarán is joining San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and other business and political leaders on a three-day trip to Washington to press the federal government on issues affecting the region.
Some 150 business and political leaders from both sides of the border are taking part in the trip Monday through Wednesday organized by the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“San Diego is a multifaceted region. We are a port town serving military and defense industries as well as home to the busiest land port of entry in the western hemisphere and a hub of entrepreneurship and innovation,” said Jerry Sanders, president and CEO of the chamber.
“It’s important we remind Washington of our priorities and the issues that are important to the Cali-Baja region. With a delegation this large, representing such a wide variety of industries and interests, we have a strong, unified voice to do just that,” he added.
The San Diego chamber is the only chamber in the country to lead a delegation representing bi-national interests and including leaders and officials from the U.S. and Mexico to both countries’ capitals each year.
The delegation is meeting with Sen. John McCain, the White House Council of Economic Advisors, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Gil Kerlikowski, Sen. Diane Feinstein, border state Congress members and Rep. Mac Thornberry, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, along others.
Issues to be discussed include water supply, transportation, military, veterans, trade, healthcare, border crossing, affordable housing and homelessness.
