Tag Archives: Congressman Will Hurd

From San Antonio to Del Rio, from Marfa to El Paso and many places in between, our communities have shown the outrage we feel about another black man dying in police custody.

I too felt the need to take action, and, while marching in solidarity with George Floyd’s family and sixty thousand others, I realized that not everything has to be a binary choice. The fact is, you can be outraged by a black man getting murdered in police custody, thankful that law enforcement put themselves in harm’s way to protect our First Amendment rights and angry that criminals are looting and rioting—actions at conflict with our American values. We can feel all these emotions at the same time.

During the march, I witnessed more than just the African American community is committed to dismantling a culture where a black man is twice as likely to die in police custody as a white man.

This culture is the same culture that has caused so many young black men to receive a talk from their father about what to do when pulled over by a police officer. I know this talk, and I remember receiving it from my dad when I was fifteen years old. My Dad told me if I was pulled over by the police, to turn on the light in the car, roll down my window and place my hands on the window seal so the police could see my hands. He further instructed me to not make any movement unless I tell the police officer and received consent.

It’s been almost 30 years since I was given this lessen by my dad, but this lesson is still being taught by fathers and mothers today who fear that the wrong move when pulled over could cost their child his or her life. No parent should have to teach this lesson, and no kid should have to receive it, but, until we change the culture, this lesson will be taught.

There is a role for both political parties, both chambers of congress and all branches of government to address this. We must work together. Three key things that could help would be: ensuring federal funding only goes to departments following best policing practices; strengthening a police chief’s power to fire bad officers from their force; and bolstering a civilian’s ability to hold law enforcement accountable in court when they step outside the law.

A wave of cries to defund the police have swept over the country in recent weeks, but this is not the answer. In fact, this would make our communities even less safe.

If we are going to solve the problems besetting our nation right now, we have to have a collective and level-headed conversation. In the coming weeks and months, I hope this is the case because now is the time for action. Our actions won’t bring back George Floyd or other lives that were tragically cut short, but they will provide our country with the tools to prevent another injustice. Whether your skin is black, or your uniform is blue, individuals should not feel targeted in this country.

Everyone should feel safe walking the streets of our communities.

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A former undercover CIA officer, entrepreneur and cybersecurity expert, Will Hurd is the U.S. Representative for the 23rd Congressional District of Texas. In Washington, he serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, where he is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Intelligence Modernization and Readiness, and the House Committee on Appropriations, where he serves on the Subcommittees on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development.

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This time of year is always filled with excitement and celebration because we take the time to reflect on graduates from high school, technical school, trade schools, community colleges, universities and other types of educational institutions.

While our celebrating will feel different than usual, that cannot and will not put a damper on the incredible achievements of each of you—each of our incredible graduates.

Normally I would be with some of you at your commencement ceremony talking with your families, hearing about your accomplishments, shaking hands and hearing about your future plans. But, because I can’t physically be there, I wanted to let you all know that I am incredibly proud of the achievements of this class.

The achievements of the Class of 2020 are different than my own class and that of all those before us because you succeeded in a completely unexpected way. You have rolled with the punches. You have overcome the difficulties of a pandemic and achieved your academic goals. Knowing this class is joining our workforce or our higher education institutions helps ease a lot of worries I have about the future.

I know many of you feel robbed because of how this year is ending, but I want you to know that even though you didn’t get to walk across that stage, we are all still here celebrating your accomplishments. We are clapping for you and eagerly waiting to see what you will achieve next.

And, for those of you who are worried about what the future brings, don’t fret. We’ve all had that moment of worry, and it is a moment you will encounter more than once in your life. That moment wondering what to do next. When I lost my first election for Congress, I had no plan B. The loss was tough and figuring out what to do next was trying. I literally talked to 75 people to get advice, and that 75^th person was one of my best friend’s father. He told me he did not know what I should do, just that the next thing need to be something “meaningful and hard” and it would all work out in the end. At first, I thought it was bad advice, but I realized all I had done in life up to that point had revolved around doing something meaningful and hard. It ended up being what encouraged me to run for Congress again.

So, that’s what I want those of you who feel uncertain to do. Go after something that is meaningful, and something that is hard because when you do you better yourself. You will often suffer defeat through this, and, even better, you will eventually taste victory. Let me tell you, the sweet taste of victory makes up for every defeat and every bitter moment of disappointment.

As our nation begins to come out of the dark tunnel we have been in for the last few months, there is still some uncertainty about what is next. When will life return to normal? Will life look different once we return to some type of normalcy? Will we have to reinstate stay-at-home procedures in the future?

When you reach the end of a significant journey in your life, many will ask your thoughts on the future, and what concerns you might have. It’s happened to me as I decide to leave Congress and pursue other avenues to serve our great nation. When asked this, it is important to contemplate from the journey you have just been on and do not be afraid to seek advice.

One thing I can tell you for sure though, if you were to ask me to make a list on what my concerns are for the future, the Class of 2020 would not be on it. Over the past weeks and months, these individuals have faced uncertainty and adversity, but they have confronted it head-on. They rose to the challenge this unusual time faced them with, and it shows the character and abilities they have acquired over their years in school.

I hope the Class of 2020 will take the same character and abilities into whatever is next for them in life. Because if they do, there is no doubt our country will be better off for it.

God bless all of this year’s graduates, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

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A former undercover CIA officer, entrepreneur and cybersecurity expert, Will Hurd is the U.S. Representative for the 23rd Congressional District of Texas. In Washington, he serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, where he is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Intelligence Modernization and Readiness, and the House Committee on Appropriations, where he serves on the Subcommittees on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development.

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El Paso Herald-Post welcomes all views and viewpoints.  To have your opinion heard, review the guidelines here and the submit your letter to news@epheraldpost.com

The power of a library is immeasurable because it is not just a repository of books but an access point to new ideas and sources of inspiration.

While National Library Week was in April and it is now May, the incredible importance of libraries is something that extends beyond one commemorative week. We should appreciate and advocate for libraries each and every day.

Even in this time of social-distancing when we cannot physically go to a library, the resources available to us are still open because a library is more than a means to borrow books—it’s a well-rounded educational tool.

When I was young, I worked in a library. Like many kids, I learned the Dewey Decimal System: How to use it, read it and ultimately track down the books I wanted to borrow. I viewed the library as a resource to find fun books to read. But I also remember the librarians who taught me how to effectively search for information.

The ability to search for information effectively and ensure it is credible is something I still use today. This power, to identify credible information, is something that we must ensure every kid has because misinformation is not only harmful, it’s dangerous.

According to the Pew Research Center, the majority of Americans today get their news from social media. Consequently, increased reliance on online media makes us more susceptible to bad actors who spread disinformation. For many Americans, the 2016 election was their first real experience with the potential impacts of widespread disinformation campaigns, but it will not be their last.

Part of participating in a democracy is doing your best to stay informed. Yet, an important element of that practice is confirming we are being informed by accurate information. We need to be able to identify how the information we are absorbing may be biased or altogether incorrect. That is where libraries come in.

The American Library Association defines digital literacy as “the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create and communicate information.”

Today, libraries provide their patrons with a multitude of unique resources that spread awareness and train individuals to use online resources and identify disinformation, whether it be through a K-12 school, university or public library.

For example, the Public Library Association (PLA) provides digital literacy resources from self-directed tutorials through DigitalLearn.

Additionally, the PLA is expanding technology access in rural communities through DigitalLead. Librarians are also focused on teaching students how to use search tools like Google most effectively and how to identify trustworthy sources versus biased information from an early age.

This is simply not enough. There needs to be a broader cultural movement on digital literacy that starts in elementary school. We all know not to get in a car with a stranger (unless it’s an Uber or Lyft driver), but why would we share information from someone we know nothing about? A digitally literate population is the best defense against future disinformation campaigns from our adversaries around the world.

If you are looking for proof that these ideas matter, look no further than the coronavirus pandemic that has affected the lives of every world citizen.

The governments of China, Russia and Iran have sought to create harmful, coordinated disinformation campaigns. The reason they did so is likely to distract their own people from their failures to address the crisis, and, sadly, their campaign could make American families and kids fall victim to false or dangerous information. This is why it is so critical we learn and teach our kids how to assess information, where it came from and if it’s true.

I have been a firm advocate for libraries throughout my time in Congress and was proud to be part of leading the bipartisan effort in the House to pass the Museum and Library Services Act of 2018.

This bill, which was signed into law on December 31, 2018, reauthorized programs administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services for six years. It included annual library grants, which provided Texas public libraries with nearly $11 million in federal assistance annually.

Although the coronavirus pandemic prevents us from physically going to our local libraries, nothing can stop us from learning from them. Visit your local library’s website and take advantage of their incredible resources. This can help us fight the misinformation campaigns that are part of our world today and will be in the future.

Afterall, today, we are really fighting two pandemics: the coronavirus and the misinformation campaigns from bad actors. Both battles require collective responsibility and collaboration from all Americans. We can and will win both fights.

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A former undercover CIA officer, entrepreneur and cybersecurity expert, Will Hurd is the U.S. Representative for the 23rd Congressional District of Texas. In Washington, he serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, where he is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Intelligence Modernization and Readiness, and the House Committee on Appropriations, where he serves on the Subcommittees on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development.

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El Paso Herald-Post welcomes all views and viewpoints.  To have your opinion heard, review the guidelines here and the submit your letter to news@epheraldpost.com

The start of a new decade means it’s time for the U.S. Census. Every ten years, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a constitutionally mandated population count of our nation’s residents.

Making sure that everyone is counted is of the utmost importance to the functioning of our democracy. These decennial population counts are used to determine how federal funds are distributed to states and how states are represented in our government.

We all want an accurate and complete count, but there are obstacles that we must overcome together to get there. In past Census counts, South and West Texas have had some of the lowest self-response rates in the country. Approximately 25 percent of the current population of our state lives in “hard-to-count” areas, which is often the case for rural and minority communities.

Ahead of the 2020 Census, there has also been increased confusion and distrust surrounding the way that information gained from the Census will be used. The Urban Institute estimates that nearly one-third of adults are extremely or very concerned about how their information will be used, and that number is over 40 percent among Hispanic adults and adults in immigrant families.

Despite the Supreme Court’s decision not to allow a citizenship question to be on the Census, many Americans are still fearful that the information they provide will be used to target them. Rest assured, there will be no citizenship question on the Census. It is essential that we all participate.

The stakes are high, especially for the people of Texas. Since the 2010 Census, Texas has gained over 3.5 million residents and has the potential to acquire at least two additional seats in Congress after 2020 if everyone is counted. However, an undercount of even just 1% of the Texas population could result in the loss of $300 million in federal funding each year.

Along with federal resources that go towards local schools, hospitals and roads, community organizations will also use census information to develop social service programs, community projects and childcare centers.

The benefits of participation are apparent, and the costs are nonexistent. There is no reason to fear participating in the Census count. Completing the Census questionnaire only takes a few minutes and can have a significant impact on the future of our state. You can fill it out over the phone or by mail, and for the first time ever you also have the option to fill it out online this year at www.census.gov.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, initial invitations to respond online and by phone will be delivered on or between March 12-20 by the U.S. Postal Service.

If we don’t get an accurate count this time around, we have to go 10 years before we can get it right. For many parts of Texas, that may be too long to wait.

This spring, securing our future through an accurate Census count will be a collective effort. Remind your friends and neighbors to do their civic duty and participate. This is a chance for all of us to work together to help each other, our local communities, and the great state of Texas.

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Author: Rep. Will Hurd

A former undercover CIA officer, entrepreneur and cybersecurity expert, Will Hurd is the U.S. Representative for the 23rd Congressional District of Texas. In Washington, he serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, where he is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Intelligence Modernization and Readiness, and the House Committee on Appropriations, where he serves on the Subcommittees on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development.

El Paso’s Central Business Association is hosting its final luncheon of the year with special guest, United States Congressman, William B. Hurd.

“Congressman Hurd has been representing East El Paso all the way down to San Antonio,” CBA officials shared via an emailed news release. “He has been our ears and voice in the United States House of Representatives…from walls being proposed in our borders, to children being separated from their parents, Congressman Hurd has been an advocate for our community.”

CBA officials add that although he has announced his retirement from Congress, the community of El Paso owes a great deal of gratitude to Congressman Hurd for his years of selfless and honorable service.

For this final luncheon of the year, Congressman Hurd will discuss what is in store for his future, as well as other topics.

Limited seating is available, individual ticket prices are $22.50 Members ($25 Future Members.)  Pricing for a table of ten is $225 for members ($250 Future Members.)

Each ticket includes lunch and parking.  To RSVP contact CBA at 915.999.1781 or email gracie@emajj.com

You may have heard that there’s a place in far West Texas where the night skies are dark as coal and rivers carve temple-like canyons in ancient limestone. This isn’t simply folklore and is actually located right here in the 23rd District of Texas.

I have the distinct honor of representing in Congress a total of eight national parks and historic sites, including Big Bend National Park described above, and our San Antonio Missions. It is a top priority of mine to make sure our parks remain beautiful and accessible for South and West Texas families to enjoy for generations to come.

Unfortunately, our parks are in dire need of repairs. In fact, last year in Texas alone, the National Park Service faced over $167 million in backlogged maintenance projects, including repairs to roads, visitor facilities, trails and other park structures.

In many of these cases, buildings are crumbling, roads are inaccessible, trails are overgrown and sewer systems are at risk of failing – dramatically impacting the natural environment and visitor experience. To make matters worse, nearly 75 percent of deferred maintenance projects in Texas are in our TX-23 parks and historic sites, at a whopping cost of:

• $100,421,335 at Big Bend National Park;
• $6,937,728 at San Antonio Missions National Historic Park;
• $7,031,046 at Amistad National Recreational Area in Del Rio;
• $2,810,717 at Fort Davis National Historic Site; and,
• $6,411,208 at Guadalupe Mountains National Park in the town Salt Flat in West Texas.

You don’t have to be a math major to realize that’s a lot of backlog and a big problem. I wholeheartedly believe that we have a responsibility to care for our national parks and historic sites so they are available for future generations of park goers to enjoy. That’s why I joined forces with my colleagues in the House and Senate on both sides of the political aisle to introduce the Restore Our Parks & Public Lands Act.

This bipartisan proposal represents the merging of several approaches, including my similar bill, the National Park Service Legacy Act, to reduce this backlog so we can fix our parks once and for all. This bill helps to jump start our overdue maintenance projects by directing existing federal funding to a newly established restoration fund, which will allow the National Park Service to invest in needed repairs.

The only way we can solve big problems in Congress is by working together, and this bill further exemplifies a team effort. I’ll continue to be a champion of our parks and work in a bipartisan manner to find solutions to the biggest problems facing our nation.

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A former undercover CIA officer, entrepreneur and cybersecurity expert, Will Hurd is the U.S. Representative for the 23rd Congressional District of Texas. In Washington, he serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, as Vice Chair of the Maritime and Border Security Subcommittee on the Committee for Homeland Security, and as the Chairman of the Information Technology Subcommittee on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

U.S. Representative Will Hurd kicks off his third annual DC2DQ trip, a series of public meet & greets held at local Dairy Queens throughout South and West Texas, Sunday in El Paso.

Hurd will meet with residents Sunday afternoon at two locations (listed below) and then make his way east.

The 20 informal town hall meetings are open to the public and designed to offer constituents an authentic opportunity to engage with their Congressman in a way that was never-before seen under previous Representatives.

Sunday, August 6, 2017

HORIZON CITY– 1:00pm-2:30pm Dairy Queen, 800 N Zaragoza Rd, El Paso, TX 79907
SOCORRO– 3:00pm-4:30pm Peter Piper Pizza, 10870 N Loop Rd, Socorro, TX 79927

To accommodate record attendance, not all meetings will be held at Dairy Queen restaurants this year. To view the complete schedule, click HERE.

As a conservative, I am always looking for ways to reform government spending and use tax dollars more efficiently. With a background in computer science and through my time as Chair of the House IT Subcommittee, I’ve been able to identify federal information technology (IT) as an area in desperate need of reform.

While IT isn’t the most exciting topic for everyone, this issue has more of an impact on your lives than you might realize. Billions of your hard-earned taxpayer dollars are wasted maintaining outdated and obsolete government IT systems that are not just costly, but also vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Last year, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) was hacked, compromising the personal information of over twenty million current and former government employees, myself included. Furthermore, the federal government’s budget for IT systems is a whopping $80 billion, and almost 80 percent of this is spent maintaining these outdated systems. Aside from protecting our information and infrastructure, imagine what we could save by investing in 21st Century digital solutions to modernize the federal government.

The American people deserve better from their government. That’s why in Congress I have prioritized increased accountability, and have been working with my colleagues to improve our information security and keep our spending to a minimum.

Earlier this month, I introduced the Modernizing Government Technology (MGT) Act with support from my colleagues on both sides of the political aisle in the House of Representatives and in the Senate, to reform federal IT and create a more modern, responsive, and cost-effective government. Forcing the federal government to operate more like a private business and less like the outdated bureaucracy it is starts with leadership, but cannot be achieved without new technology.

This bipartisan federal IT reform package helps catch our government up to speed with the 21st Century by incentivizing agencies to implement modern technology. Federal agencies will save money over time by doing things like reforming IT acquisition, streamlining IT systems, replacing legacy products, and transitioning to cloud computing.

Savings from these processes can be placed in what is called a working capital fund that can be accessed for up to three years for further IT updates. This approach gets rid of the traditional use-it or lose-it approach that has led to departments and agencies going on a spending glut at the end of the year simply to justify their budgets, holding back government technology for decades and wasting hard earned taxpayer dollars.

The MGT Act is scheduled for a vote on the House floor this week. And with these critical reforms, the federal government will be able to better address growing cybersecurity threats while providing more efficient services to the American people.

The threat of a cyberattack is very real. For the United States to continue being a world leader, we need to better secure our government data and digital infrastructure. MGT is an innovative solution and another step forward in moving our government into the 21st Century. I will continue to work with my colleagues until this reform package is signed into law by the President.

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A former undercover CIA officer, entrepreneur and cybersecurity expert, Will Hurd is the U.S. Representative for the 23rd Congressional District of Texas. In Washington, he serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, as Vice Chair of the Maritime and Border Security Subcommittee on the Committee for Homeland Security, and as the Chairman of the Information Technology Subcommittee on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Washington, DC – While on a fact-finding mission to Ukraine learning about Russian active measures in Eastern Europe, Congressman Will Hurd who sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence issued the following statement regarding the recent firing of FBI Director James Comey:

“While I understand the desire to maintain the public trust in the FBI, the timing of James Comey’s firing is troubling, especially since the Justice Department Inspector General was conducting an independent investigation into Comey’s handling of the Clinton email case.

“Due to the ongoing criminal investigation into Russian interference in our elections, I’m concerned that Comey’s firing is going to create new concerns around the public trust in the Department of Justice. This just highlights the need for the House of Representatives’ investigation of Russian interference in our elections to continue to move forward in a thorough and bipartisan way. I also have complete confidence in the men and women of the FBI to continue ongoing investigations.

“At a time when our adversaries around the globe pose unprecedented threats to our national security and undertake extraordinary efforts to undermine our democratic institutions, I urge the President to quickly nominate a new Director. There is no doubt in my mind that the new head of the FBI must be someone who is eminently respected, and can quickly be confirmed by the Senate, in order to continue to confront the grave challenges facing our nation.

“While Director Comey and I have disagreed in the past, I have always maintained and will continue to have the utmost respect for his public service, and most importantly his commitment to protecting this country.”

Congressman Will Hurd, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) gathered Wednesday to commemorate the naming of the Marcelino Serna Port of Entry (POE) in Tornillo, 35 miles east of El Paso.

Marcelino Serna was an El Paso resident who served in World War I and became the most decorated World War I veteran from Texas.

“The veteran community has been championing this issue for many years, and it is an honor to deliver on their wishes after two years of working in Washington to make this happen,” said Congressman Hurd. “Today we honored a man who immigrated to the United States and risked his life repeatedly to protect the safety of his fellow soldiers. The Marcelino Serna Port of Entry will not only honor this extraordinary man’s service to our nation, it will serve as a reminder of the countless Hispanic-American immigrants who have fought valiantly to keep our nation safe. It brings me great joy to celebrate with his daughter Gloria and the rest of the Tornillo community.”

“It is an honor to represent GSA as we memorialize Marcelino Serna for his courage and patriotism in World War I,” said GSA Acting Regional Administrator Jim Weller. “Dedicating the Tornillo Port of Entry in his name demonstrates the federal government’s respect and appreciation for his service to country.”

“The dedication and service to country demonstrated by Marcelino Serna a century ago is reflected in the daily work of CBP officers assigned to this facility,” said CBP Marcelino Serna Port Director Donna Sifford.

Private Marcelino Serna lived in El Paso and volunteered for the U.S. Army during World War I. After basic training Serna was sent overseas to join the Allied forces but was later given the option to withdraw because, at the time, he was not a U.S. citizen. Instead, he chose to stay and fight with his fellow soldiers.

During his service, Serna’s dedication and bravery saved many lives. For his acts of courage, Serna was honored by the U.S. Army with two Purple Hearts and was the first Hispanic to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Serna, who became a U.S. citizen in 1924, died in 1992 at the age of 95 and was buried with full military honors at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.

The Marcelino Serna POE is a newly-constructed 117 acre port that was completed in 2016 and replaced the legacy Fabens POE. The Marcelino Serna POE provides both noncommercial and commercial inspections and is the bridge between Tornillo and Guadalupe in Mexico.

For more information about the public law regarding the naming, click HERE.

Photos courtesy US Representative Will Hurd’s Office

Washington, D.C. – Amid increasing threats to the homeland and around the globe, former undercover CIA officer Congressman Will Hurd has become the first representative from the 23^rd district of Texas to be appointed to the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI). At a time when the Intelligence Community faces significant challenges, Rep. Hurd brings firsthand national security and intelligence gathering experience to the body tasked with overseeing and supporting their operations.

This prestigious appointment by the Speaker of the House at the beginning of his second term is big news after a hard fought reelection.  Hurd sits on the committees of Homeland Security and Oversight and Government Reform and has quickly positioned himself as a leading voice on National Security and Cybersecurity.

“We are living in a dangerous time when our enemies’ tactics, techniques, and procedures are continuously evolving. It’s the job of Congress to make sure our national security apparatus is ready to meet these threats,” said Hurd. “I left an organization I love, and a career I loved and was good at because I believed I could help the intelligence community in a different way. That’s why I ran for Congress. It’s exciting to be able to use my experience to develop recommendations with my colleagues on the Committee that will prevent terrorist attacks and keep Americans safe.”

“Will is an obvious choice for this committee,” said Speaker Paul Ryan. “During his first term in Congress, he was a leader on national security and cybersecurity issues, drawing from his personal experience to help educate his colleagues and shape policy. His expertise will be a strong asset as we strengthen our national security policies to protect Americans at home and our interests abroad.”

“I’d like to give a warm welcome to Congressman Hurd, who is joining the House Intelligence Committee,” HPSCI Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) stated. “With his years-long experience as a CIA officer, he has immense first-hand knowledge of the Intelligence Community, and I expect he will play a critical role in the committee’s oversight activities.” 

“Will’s background as a Clandestine Service officer has made him uniquely qualified to serve on HPSCI,” added George Tenet, former Director of Central Intelligence. “Having served both in congressional oversight staff and the CIA, myself, I know his exemplary service and experience will be invaluable to the committee responsible for overseeing our nation’s intelligence operations.”

“Rep. Hurd’s appointment to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is very important for the city of San Antonio,” said Bexar County Judge Nelson P. Wolff. “His first-hand experience and expertise makes him the best person to represent our city on this committee when it comes to issues of national security and helping San Antonio to continue to strengthen its claim as Cyber City, USA.”    

“On behalf of the Airmen of 24th Air Force, Air Forces Cyber, I would like to congratulate Rep. Will Hurd on his new appointment.  He has been a vocal advocate and ally for the Air Force and Cyberspace Operations,” stated Major General Christopher Weggeman, Commander of the 24^th Air Force at Joint Base San Antonio, which plans and executes global cyberspace operations. “We look forward to working with him, his staff and the committee to secure our nation’s vital interests.”  

“I’m honored by Speaker Ryan’s appointment and humbled to be able to yet again support my colleagues in the Intelligence Community as they continue their challenging and gravely important work to keep this country safe,” said Hurd.