New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Secures Mexican President’s Support for Rail Project

Governor Also Convinces Health Secretary to Consider Border Health Services

Jan. 25, 2008 -- MEXICO CITY – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson met today with Mexican President Felipe Calderón to make a pitch to position a major international rail project so that it benefits southern New Mexico.

“We had a cordial discussion of this project, which is important to the growth of trade between Mexico and the United States,” said Governor Richardson. “President Calderón has included this project in his 2012 National Infrastructure Plan as one of the priorities for his administration."

Governor Richardson said his administration would work with the Chihuahua state government, with the mayor of Ciudad Juarez, with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and with the Union Pacific Railway on the project.

Governor Richardson and President Calderón also discussed potential international natural gas cooperation projects to meet increasing industrial energy demand in Mexico.

Governor Richardson, who was accompanied by Juan Massey, New Mexico’s Director of Mexican Affairs, also met with Mexican Secretary of Health Dr. José Ángel Córdova Villalobos about the prospect of improved health service facilities in the border town of Palomas, a Mexican town located across the border from Columbus, New Mexico.

“Secretary Córdova assured me that he would contact local officials and travel to Palomas to address border health,” Governor Richardson said. “Secretary Córdova recognizes the need to work with us to provide services to the people of Palomas, which in turn would ease the burden on local New Mexico health facilities.

Currently, Deming and Columbus are the closest communities to Palomas that provide emergency health services and many Palomas residents have no choice but to cross the border into New Mexico when in need for Emergency Health Care.

Governor Richardson also called on Ambassador Tony Garza at the US Embassy in Mexico City, where they discussed border security, immigration and trade.

Source: New Mexico Governor

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