Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ceremonial Recognition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Socorro council honors Sen. Cesar J. Blanco for $2 million Rio Vista Farm appropriation and passage of SB 1579
Summary
The City of Socorro presented a proclamation Oct. 16 recognizing state Sen. Cesar J. Blanco for securing $2 million via the Texas Historical Commission for Rio Vista Farm restoration and for authoring Senate Bill 1579, which the proclamation cites as giving municipalities tools to address abandoned parcels.
The City of Socorro City Council on Oct. 16 presented a proclamation recognizing Sen. Cesar J. Blanco for legislative work that the city credited with advancing preservation and neighborhood revitalization.
The proclamation cited $2,000,000 appropriated through the Texas Historical Commission (strategy A‑1.5) to support restoration of Rio Vista Farm National Historic Landmark. It also noted the passage of Senate Bill 1579, described in the proclamation as establishing a legal framework for municipalities in border‑adjacent counties to address long‑abandoned, tax‑delinquent parcels.
Sen. Cesar J. Blanco accepted the proclamation and thanked the council, city staff and the local lobbying team for their role in securing the appropriation. "It really requires both chambers," Blanco said of the legislative process. "It was really a team effort.... We can't do the work without your advocacy." He credited Representative Mary González and local lobbyists Marisa Márquez and Rick Armendáriz for assistance in advancing the bill and funding.
The council unanimously adopted the proclamation during the meeting; staff said the recognition was intended to acknowledge both heritage preservation and economic opportunity tied to the appropriation and new statutory tools.
