Congressman Henry Cuellar
28th Congressional District, Texas
October 9, 2009
CONGRESSMAN HENRY CUELLAR ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $10 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR TMC
Washington, DC -- Congressman Henry Cuellar today announced that TMC, formerly known as Texas Migrant Council, has received more than $10,014,910 in federal funding for its Migrant Seasonal Head Start, Head Start, and Early Head Start Programs.
The money, which comes from the Department of Health and Human Services and from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will be used in Webb, Zapata, and Starr Counties for a wide array of projects, including the purchasing of busses to transport students, renovations to existing facilities, and purchasing of modular buildings and other operational equipment.
“This funding will have a tremendous impact on the lives of the many people TMC serves. I have always been a firm believer that education is the greatest equalizer and I applaud the efforts of TMC for instilling the importance of education to our students at a very young age,” said Congressman Cuellar. “I will continue to make sure that programs like those provided by TMC are adequately funded. Part of this funding is a direct result of the stimulus bill Congress passed earlier this year and it will have a direct impact on the economies of the eight states where TMC has a presence, including here in South Texas.”
Specifically, the money announced today will be used for the expansion of the Head Start Program in Zapata and Starr counties, where an additional 102 families will be able to enroll their children in the program. More than 15,000 children and adults in the tri-county area are served by TMC.
Additionally, the money will also be used to purchase modular buildings and repair existing facilities in Zapata and Starr Counties. All TMC employees from the tri-county area will receive a cost of living adjustment increase as part of money being awarded, in addition to receiving additional staff development training. Webb County will also benefit with the purchase of four busses to transport students from their homes to the classroom and back home.
“We are very excited to have received these dollars. These funds will allow us to hire more staff, service more children, and support the economies of the communities in the eight states we serve. Also, we will be able to make purchases on nutritional and educational related products,” stated Mary Capello, TMC Chief Executive Officer.
TMC is headquartered in Laredo, but has a presence in eight states, including Texas, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Iowa, Nevada and Oklahoma. In total, TMC serves approximately 100,000 clients, including children and adults.
Funded in part by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, TMC promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through education, health, nutrition, and social service programs. Parents who have children enrolled in TMC programs are also eligible to receive services from the organization.
TMC has been in existence since 1971.
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Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the U.S. House Homeland Security, Agriculture, and Government Oversight & Reform Committees in the 111th Congress. Accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development, and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip and member of the Blue Dog Coalition.
