by Legislative Media | Nov 23, 2007 | Politics |
The newest members of Edinburg’s Tejano Walk of Fame, which honors the titans of the music genre, were joined by the Edinburg City Council on Thursday, November 15, for a portrait during a ceremony, hosted by The Social Club, commemorating the legendary musicians’ contributions to the Hispanic culture. Featured, from left, are: City Councilmember Noe Garza; inductees Emilio and Genaro Aguilar of Los Aguilares of San Antonio; inductee Gilberto Pérez of Mercedes; Mayor Joe Ochoa; inductee Gilberto López of Edinburg; inductee Paulino Bernal of McAllen; and inductee Freddy Martínez of Corpus Christi. “Edinburg, the Tejano Capital of the Valley, continues to promote the Tejano Walk of Fame, which brings international attention, not only to our diverse cultural riches, but also our shared history and sound music to the city,” said Ochoa. “These great artists surely characterize our culture and heritage through their outstanding musical contributions.”
See lead story later in this posting.
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Freddy Martínez of Corpus Christi, featured left, proudly displays the marble plaque bearing a star with his name that will become part of the Tejano Walk of Fame in Edinburg. Martínez, featured here with Mayor Joe Ochoa during the Tejano Walk of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday, November 15, is an internationally-renowned musician and producer whose many achievements earned him the honor from the three-time All-America City. Profiles on him, and the other four inductees, are featured following the lead story in this posting.
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Dr. Noel Oliveira, M.D. an internal medicine specialist who also plays with the group, Renaissance Rockers, plays guitar with vocalist Little Joe booming out a song during the scholarship fund raising concert that was held in conjunction with the Tejano Walk of Fame on Thursday, November 15. The event, which honors legendary talents of the Tejano music genre, is also designed to raise scholarship funds for music majors at the University of Texas-Pan American. See lead story later in this posting.
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by Legislative Media | Nov 15, 2007 | Politics |
Hidalgo County Treasurer Norma G. García, featured second from left, has been named Texas County Treasurer for 2007 by her colleagues with the County Treasurers Association of Texas – the first time since 1971 that a local county treasurer has earned that prestigious honor. “Once again, Hidalgo County is recognized for outstanding leadership and performance in public service,” said García. “It is especially important for the public to have full confidence that their hard-earned tax funds are being taken care of at the highest standards and principles, which produce the most beneficial consequences to those whom I serve.” Featured with her during the award ceremony held in mid-October were: Kleberg County Treasurer Priscilla A. Cantú; García; Zapata County Treasurer Romeo Salinas; and Taylor County Treasurer Lesa Crosswhite, who also serves as CTAT president. See story later in this posting.
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Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, focused on his legislative efforts on behalf of the youth in his district during his Thursday, November 8 campaign kick-off, held at the ECHO in Edinburg. Peña, who was born in Austin but grew up in Edinburg, reminded voters from the key Delta Area portion of his House District 40 of his deep roots in those communities. “My grandfather would never imagine what has happened to this community,” Peña fondly recalled his paternal grandfather, Baltazar Peña, who migrated from Mexico to the Edcouch-Elsa region. “Who would have imagined that we would move so quickly to have the sort of growth that we have here? That was done because of the dreams that they had, the dreams of a better future, the dreams of educating our kids. So, that has always been my commitment, as it is yours, that we invest in our kids.” Featured with Peña are, from left, back row: his wife, Mónica; daughter-in-law, Clarissa; granddaughter Addison; son Aaron Peña; daughter Adrienne Peña Garza; and in the front row: son Anthony; and granddaughter Chelsea Peña. The Edinburg lawmaker is facing a challenge from Eddie Sáenz, a civil engineer also from Edinburg, in the March 4, 2008 Democratic Party primary. See story later in this posting.
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Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen, whose House District 41 includes southwest Edinburg, on Thursday, November 8, helped welcome dignitaries to the campaign kick-off for her colleague, Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg. Gonzáles, along with Rep. Armando “Mando” Martínez, D-Weslaco, and Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, showed up at Peña’s event, even though Peña is facing a challenge from a fellow Democrat – Eddie Sáenz of Edinburg. Gonzáles will be having her own campaign kick-off on Tuesday, November 27, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the International Museum of Arts and Science, located at 1900 Nolana Avenue in McAllen. Gonzáles’ campaign kick-off, which is being underwritten by her law firm, Kittleman, Thomas & Gonzáles, LLP, is free and open to the public. For more information, residents may call her campaign at 212-8950. Gonzáles is facing at least one opponent so far – fellow McAllen lawyer Javier Villalobos, who is seeking the Republican Party nomination. Both parties will hold their primary elections on March 4, 2008.
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by Legislative Media | Oct 31, 2007 | Politics |
Eddie Sáenz of Edinburg addresses several hundred voters on Thursday, October 25, during his campaign kick-off for state representative, House District 40, which includes all but southwest Edinburg, La Joya and Sullivan City in western Hidalgo County, Edcouch, Elsa, La Villa, and San Carlos in eastern Hidalgo County, and northern Hidalgo County. Sáenz, a Democrat, is portraying incumbent Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, as loyal to the Republican Party, criticizing Peña for helping keep a Republican in power as Texas Speaker of the House. “Our great state senators and South Texas representatives need a partner working with them in Austin. We need to elect a Speaker who is for everyone,” Sáenz said. “That is why I am committing to stand with the Democratic Caucus, and support a Democrat for Speaker that we can all stand behind.” See story later in this posting.
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Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) President Chris McGill and CLEAT Political Director Charley Wilkison presented Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, featured right, with the Senator of the Year 2007 award at CLEATS 31st annual convention held October 6 in Brownsville. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Lucio pushed for an increase of $369.4 million in funds for the incarceration and treatment of adult felons. He also helped secure $108 million for border security operations, including funding for local law enforcement surge operations, joint operation and intelligence centers, a border security operation center, additional Department of Public Safety troopers and more aviation support. See story later in this posting.
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A portion of the program cover for the November 15 Tejano Walk of Fame scholarship fundraiser provides a colorful preview for the event, to be hosted by The Social Club, an upscale restaurant located at 205 Conquest Boulevard in Edinburg. Hundreds of fans of the latest inductees of the Tejano Walk of Fame will be able to see their favorite musicians – at no charge – during the public portion of the popular event, which will be held outside The Social Club from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. See story later in this posting.
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An exhibit titled “Pillars of Success” featuring the photos and success stories of five distinguished alumni of The University of Texas-Pan American opened at the University’s Visitors Center on October 11. Pictured from left are new UTPA “Pillars of Success” honorees Arturo E. Guerra Jr., Roberto Pulido, Dr. Marla M. Guerra, and Lucious “Luke” Jackson Jr. Not pictured is Major General William F. Garrison, who was unable to attend the Pillars exhibit opening. See story later in this posting.
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by Legislative Media | Oct 3, 2007 | Politics |
Only the appearance in Edinburg of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, the highest ranking elected woman in American history, could take attention away from the grand opening of the latest treasure in the city’s economy – the $67 million Women’s Hospital at Renaissance. Pelosi, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, helped draw hundreds of area residents, hospital leaders, and other political figures to the Thursday, September 27 ribbon-cutting event at the 200,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art medical complex, located in southwest Edinburg at 5502 South McColl. Featured during the ribbon-cutting, from left, were: Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen; Rep. Ismael “Kino” Flores, D-Palmview; Dr. Carlos J. Cárdenas, chairman of the board of Doctors Hospital at Renaissance; Congressman Ruben Hinojosa, D-Mercedes; Pelosi; Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg; Pharr Mayor Leo “Polo” Palacios; and Edinburg Mayor Joe Ochoa. See story later in this posting.
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U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, featured second from right, poses for a portrait taken on Thursday, September 27, with Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg, along with Blanca Cárdenas, McAllen Chamber of Commerce, and Marissa Castañeda, Chief Operations Officer for Doctors Hospital at Renaissance. Pelosi, the first woman Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, was in Edinburg that morning to help celebrate the grand opening of the $67 million Women’s Hospital at Renaissance. Pelosi is the first U.S. Speaker of the House in office to visit the three-time All-America City. See story later in this posting.
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Memorial Funeral Home, located at 208 E. Canton Road, has been selected as the Small Feature Business of the Month by the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. Leon and Velma de León, shown fourth and third from the right, “are small business owners who believe in making a contribution in the communities they serve,” said Elva Jackson Garza, vice-chair of membership for the local chamber. “Not only do they support the various programs and events sponsored by the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, but they take it to the next level by actively participating personally.” Featured in this portrait, from left, are: Melissa Rodríguez, representing the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce; David Rubio; Paula Ysquierdo; Martín Ortíz; Verónica Moreno, funeral director; Leon De León, owner/funeral director; Velma De León, owner/funeral director; Lee Castro, funeral director and vice-chair of tourism for the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce; and Illiana Aldrete.
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by Legislative Media | Sep 26, 2007 | Politics |
U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, will be in Edinburg on Thursday, September 27, first to address students in South Texas at the University of Texas-Pan American, then to participate in the grand opening ceremony for the Women’s Hospital at Renaissance. See story later in this posting.
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A new state law that could eventually lead to the construction of a light rail train system that would transport passengers from Brownsville to Rio Grande City is still on track, said Rep. Armando “Mando” Martinez, D-Weslaco, the author of the legislation. House Bill 2510 creates a mechanism to allow Hidalgo County and any of the other 13 Texas counties that border Mexico to create Commuter Rail Districts. Under HB 2510, each border county will have the opportunity to organize and create a commuter rail board to determine the feasibility of establishing a commuter rail system within their respective county. The legislation, which was sponsored by Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, was endorsed by Gov. Rick Perry, shown here recently signing the measure into law. In attendance at the bill signing ceremony, held in Austin last month, were Hidalgo County Judge J. D. Salinas III (standing, back row, second from left), his wife Janie (standing, first row, first from left) and their two children, Nicholas and Samantha. Also present with Martinez (featured standing, second from right) for the ceremony were Veronica de la Fuente, who is Hidalgo County ‘s governmental director, and Jerry Haddican, General Counselor for Hinojosa.
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STC President Shirley A. Reed addresses the college’s faculty, staff and administration at Professional Development Day, laying a roadmap for the college’s future. The community college system, created by the Legislature in 1993 through a law carried by Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, and then-Rep. Roberto Gutiérrez, D-McAllen, is now approaching a 20,000 student enrollment. See story later in this posting.
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