Washington, DC (September 13, 2007) – Today, Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) announced the City of Beeville has been approved funding in the amount of $310,000 for the purchase of a fire truck. The funding is in the form of a grant and loan combination through USDA - Rural Development’s Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program.
Several weeks ago Beeville City Manager Ford Patton, on behalf of Beeville Mayor Kenneth Chesshir and Beeville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Donnie Morris, contacted Congressman Hinojosa’s Beeville District Office emphasizing the importance of this funding and highlighting the impact of first responder services in the rural Coastal Bend.
Congressman Hinojosa asked his staff to track the funding request and then, at the appropriate time, made his support known to the USDA officials in Washington.
“First responders play an essential role within our community, and it is imperative that we equip them with the tools necessary so that they can continue to do their job and make Beeville a safer place to live,” the Congressman said. “This couldn’t have happened without the diligent efforts of Fire Chief Morris, City Manager Patton, Mayor Chesshir and the great people at USDA – they all did the right things to make this happen.”
Mayor Chesshir, who has been a strong advocate for this essential funding, was pleased to receive the news from the Congressman on Wednesday afternoon and made the following statement: “The City of Beeville would like to acknowledge receipt of a $310,000 Grant from the U. S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program which will be used to purchase a new fire truck for the Beeville Volunteer Fire Department. I would also like to thank and acknowledge Congressman Hinojosa and his staff for assisting the City of Beeville in obtaining this Grant.”
City manager Ford Patton agreed and noted this type of award is vital because it “directly benefits Beeville and Bee County citizens.” He went on to express appreciation to U. S. Congressman Rubén Hinojosa for "coming to bat for Beeville” regarding this application.
“This is a great benefit for Beeville,” said Donnie Morris, chief of the Beeville Fire Department, which serves a 350 square mile area which can be quite a challenge to cover with limited resources.