Helicopter tour of border, community town hall on immigration with Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar planned
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords kicks off the congressional April recess on Friday with her first State of the District address at the Doubletree Hotel.
The address will be delivered at a luncheon sponsored by the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Cox Communications. Giffords will provide an overview of recent legislation and its impact on the 700,000 residents of her Southeastern Arizona district.
Border issues will be the main focus next week, with Giffords’ participation in back-to-back events concerning checkpoints, border security and recently proposed legislation to overhaul the nation’s immigration laws. Giffords will travel to Laredo, Texas, at the invitation of the U.S. Border Patrol to view a state-of-the-art permanent checkpoint; take a helicopter tour of Arizona’s border with Mexico with Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar; host an immigration town hall with Aguilar in Sahaurita; and meet with business leaders about the need for immigration reform and a guest-worker program.
The State of the District address and border events are part of a busy recess of speeches and events for the Tucson lawmaker. Highlights of Giffords’ public schedule include:
Friday, March 30
What: State of the District Luncheon; When: Noon; Where: Doubletree Hotel at Reid Park, 445 S. Alvernon
What: 162nd Fighter Wing Minuteman Committee Annual Spring Business Meeting; When: 3:30 p.m.; Where: 162nd Fighter Wing Base Auditorium, on Valencia Road between Campbell and Park
Saturday, March 31
What: National Alliance on Mental Illness Walk of Southern Arizona; When: 8:30 a.m.; Where: Kino Veterans Memorial Center, 2805 E. Ajo Way
What: Chaparral College Graduation Address; When: 9:45 a.m.; Where: Leo Rich Theater, 260 S. Church
What: Birth & Women’s Health Center 25th Anniversary; When: 11 a.m.; Where: Hacienda del Sol, 5601 N. Hacienda del Sol
Monday, April 2
Trip to Laredo, Texas
Tuesday, April 3
What: Address to the Breakfast Club of Tucson; When: 8 a.m.; Where: Arizona Inn, 2200 E. Elm
What: Helicopter tour of border with David Aguilar; When: 9-11 a.m.
What: Meeting with Vice Mayor Carol West and constituents; When: Noon-1:30 p.m.; Where: Eastside City Hall, 7575 E. Speedway
What: Community Town Hall on Immigration/Border Issues; When: 3 p.m.; Where: Good Shepherd Church, 17750 S. La Canada, Sahaurita
Wednesday, April 4
What: Immigration Meeting with Business Leaders; When: 9-10:30 a.m.; Where: Pima Community College District Office, 4905 E. Broadway
What: Awards Ceremony at Advanced Ceramics Manufacturing; When: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Where: 7800A S. Nogales Hwy.
What: Breast Cancer Boot Camp Board Meeting; When: 5:30-6:30 p.m.; Where: Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, 3482 E. River
Tuesday, April 10
What: Ribbon-cutting Ceremony for the Humint Training Joint Center of Excellence at Fort Huachuca; When: 9:30-10:30 a.m.; Where: Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista
What: Press conference with U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva on the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area bill; When: 2-4 p.m.; Where: Tumacacori National Historical Park, exit 29, I-19
Thursday, April 12
What: Briefing on Public Safety Issues and Tour of Emergency Services Dispatch Centers with Mayor Bob Walkup and Police Chief Richard Miranda; When: 9-11 a.m.; Where: Starting at the Mayor’s Office, 255 W. Alameda
What: Address on Veteran Health Issues; When: Noon; Where: University of Arizona, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health
Friday, April 13
What: Interview on Arizona Illustrated; When: 6:30 p.m.; Where: KUAT, Channel 6