April 9, 2024: Weekly Newsletter | Celebrating the City of Victoria’s Bicentennial: | This past weekend I attended the kickoff for the Victoria Bicentennial Celebrations. This weeks-long event marks a significant milestone in South Texas — the 200th anniversary of the City of Victoria’s founding. As a long-time resident of Victoria, I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to help the Bicentennial celebrations. 200 years is an incredible achievement, and Victoria’s many years are filled with rich history and tradition. As we reflect on the city’s past, let us commit to honoring that history by continuing to work together for a prosperous future for South Texas. Congratulations to everyone in Victoria on this historic day, and may God continue to bless and keep us in the days and years ahead. | The Packery Channel is Open! | It was a great day to celebrate at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the long-overdue restoration of the great Corpus Christi Packery Channel. Hurricanes and disasters have a prolonged impact on communities and their infrastructures, and Hurricane Harvey was no different. This has been a project years in the making. Since Hurricane Harvey, the City of Corpus Christi has been seeking assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help repair damage to the channel incurred during the storm. Our office began assisting this effort back in 2019, almost a year after I first took office, focusing efforts on helping Corpus Christi navigate communications with FEMA, the US Army Corps of Engineers, NOAA National Marine Fisheries, and more. Ultimately, FEMA obligated $9.2 million to restore the channel and $4.3 million to repair sidewalks in the surrounding area. There are still a number of items with the channel we are still working on – but after years of working with the city, as well as with Senators Cruz and Cornyn, I am grateful to say we’ve made tremendous progress and helped re-open the Packery Channel. Texans can once again enjoy the multitude of benefits that it provides to the community. You can read more HERE! | Made in the USA: Touring Steel Dynamics in Sinton | For the US to maintain its position as an economic powerhouse into the future, bringing back manufacturing is a must, and the new Steel Dynamics plant in Sinton is on the cutting edge of this resurgence. Last week, I stopped by the plant to meet with steel industry leaders and tour the facility. One of the largest steel manufacturers in the nation, Steel Dynamics employs over 1,500 people at their Sinton plant alone, providing a significant boost to our local economies. It was a privilege to meet with SDI and their industry leaders. Their commitment to the community is something we can all be thankful for. A big thank you to SDI for having me! | Speaking with the Next Generation of Leaders | I recently had the chance to visit with some students in Corpus Christi. After a long week in Washington, it was nice to get back to South Texas and see some friendly faces. | Visiting Annapolis Christian Academy | It was a pleasure to speak with the students at Annapolis Christian Academy here in Corpus Christi, where we discussed my duty as their Representative, the role that Texas plays in the federal government, and how they can get involved in the community. Despite the dysfunction in Washington, I am encouraged to see our children getting engaged on the issues — many of which will be inherited by their generation. A big thank you for having me! | Chatting with Students at Texas A&M Corpus Christi | Later in the day, I got a chance to speak with Texas A&M–Corpus Christi College Republicans regarding the many challenges we face as a nation and what we're doing in Congress to address them. I also stopped by their government class and took some great questions from the students. Engagement in our political process will be important for them as they grow in their education and careers. I look forward to seeing our next generation work together for our country! | Rep. Michael Cloud Member of Congress | Sign up for my newsletter to get updates on this issue and others! | Corpus Christi Office: 555 N Carancahua St. Tower II Suite 980 Corpus Christi, TX 78401 Phone: (361) 884-2222 | Victoria Office: 120 S. Main St., Suite 310 Victoria, TX 77901 Phone: (361) 894-6446 | Washington D.C. Office: 171 Cannon HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-7742 | |