Congressman Castro Leads San Antonio Reps. in Fight to Protect San Antonio’s Historic Missions
WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35), and Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) are demanding that the Government Services Administration (GSA) reverse its decision to terminate the lease for the San Antonio National Park Service headquarters—a decision that would endanger the safety, maintenance, and preservation of the San Antonio Missions.
In the letter sent to Acting Administrator Stephen Ehikian, the Congressmen highlight the historical, cultural, and economic significance of the Missions, warning that the closure would exacerbate vandalism and jeopardize priceless artifacts. The letter urges the GSA to reverse its decision and strengthen support to protect this important national heritage site.
“The San Antonio Missions have stood for more than 300 years and represent a unique chapter in San Antonio's history. They serve as an active place of worship and educational space, welcoming over one million visitors each year and generating close to $100 million in economic benefits for the region,” the members wrote.
“The local NPS facility serves as the backbone of the park's security, maintenance, and preservation efforts. It houses federal law enforcement officers, first responders, maintenance teams, and conservation staff who ensure the Missions remain safe, accessible, and properly maintained. The Missions have already suffered from increasing vandalism and security breaches due to lack of federal funds and inadequate NPS rangers on patrol. Closing this facility would endanger park safety and put thousands of artifacts at risk,” the members continued.
“This attempt at cost-cutting disregards the immense value these sites hold for our nation. Instead of reducing resources, we should bolster them with more rangers, stronger security measures, and better preservation efforts,” the members concluded.
The full letter can be read here.