Health care, homeland security, transportation and border issues are on the agenda of the “One Region, One Voice” mission that kicked off in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 30 , an initiative of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.
In the first full day of meetings Oct. 1, more than 40 local businesspeople and public officials are meeting with high-level Washington officials to discuss the hot-button issues facing the San Diego region.
First up, a meeting at the Pentagon, with Donald C. Winter, secretary of the Navy. Among the issues scheduled to be covered: military priorities in San Diego, the war on terror and the proposed Pacific Gateway, which would redevelop the Navy Broadway Complex in downtown San Diego.
Also on the schedule is a meeting with General Services Administrator Lurita Doan; U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency Commissioner Ralph Basham; and a discussion of the proposed cross-border terminal and airport options for the San Diego region with officials at the Federal Aviation Administration. The delegation also is scheduled to meet with Mexican Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan at a reception at the Mexican Embassy.
On Oct. 2, the delegation plans to meet with senior staffers on transportation, health care, homeland security and border issues at the White House. A key session with Jeffrey Shane, undersecretary for policy in the U.S. Department of Transportation, will focus on border infrastructure, a new third border crossing, a cross-border air terminal proposal, public/private partnerships and highway funding.
Activities will conclude with a reception at the home of U.S. Rep. Susan Davis, D-San Diego, and a private guided tour of the Capitol building, led by U.S. Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Carlsbad. The mission wraps up Oct. 3 with a “Morning on the Hill,” including a breakfast at the Senate Office Building with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and a meeting with Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California, among others.
The final discussion planned is a joint meeting at the Capitol on infrastructure funding and goods movement with James Oberstar, chairman of the House committee on transportation, and U.S. Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
In addition to more than three dozen local business leaders, the San Diego delegation includes San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, county Supervisor Greg Cox, Escondido Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler, Imperial Beach Mayor Jim Janney and San Diego City Councilman Jim Madaffer.
, Pat Broderick
