[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 13 (Thursday, February 10, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 TRIBUTE TO LUCHA VILLA, MR. AMIGO 1993

                                 ______


                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 10, 1994

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and pay tribute to 
Ms. Lucha Villa, the newly selected Mr. Amigo.
  Every year, members of the Mr. Amigo Association, who represent the 
city of Brownsville, TX, travel to Mexico City to select a new Mr. 
Amigo to serve as honored guest of the Mr. Amigo festivities in 
Brownsville, TX. The Mr. Amigo festivity is a 4-day international event 
in which the United States and Mexico are joined in celebration of the 
cultures of these neighboring countries. During the Mr. Amigo 
celebration, which originated as a pre-Lenten festival, Brownsville 
citizens participate in a series of parades, dances, and parties to 
demonstrate the goodwill of both countries. It is a well-planned major 
function which is enjoyed and eagerly anticipated by many south Texans 
as well as our winter visitors.
  Ms. Lucha Villa is the 30th Mexican citizen to be honored by the Mr. 
Amigo Association. Ironically, this award coincides with Ms. Villa's 
30th anniversary in the entertainment world. Since 1963, Ms. Lucha 
Villa has been delighting aficionados of Mexican ranchera and bolero 
music through out the Spanish-speaking world with her performances. Her 
distinguished career began with her widely heralded debut in the 
classical silver screen of Mexico with the movie ``El Gallo de Oro.'' 
She is an actress and musician, with a total of 45 movies, 50 hit 
records, and numerous stage, musical, and television presentations.
  A native of Chihuahua, Mexico, Ms. Lucha Villa is the perfect 
recipient of the Mr. Amigo award, for she has, over the long period of 
her career, taken the unique mariachi and bolero style to numerous 
foreign countries, including sold-out performances in the United 
States. A true ambassador of her country and her culture, she has been 
praised by numerous organizations for her unconditional commitment to 
improve mutual understanding and cooperation between Mexico and the 
United States. Ms. Villa should be recognized for both her artistic 
ability, and for her contribution to the commitment of understanding 
between nations.
  The impact of her persona is best summarized by the eloquent words of 
world famous Latin America author Gabriel Garcia Marquez. He notes:

       Behind the voice and the face lies a human being, 
     indestructibly splendid; with an astronaut's discipline; an 
     indomitable vocation and almost fatalistic view that there is 
     not gift in life; you earn it.

  As Mr. Amigo, Ms. Lucha Villa will receive the red-carpet treatment 
when she visits Brownsville as the city's honored guest during the 
upcoming Mr. Amigo celebration. During her 3-day stay on the border, 
she will make personal appearances in the parades and at other fiesta 
events. Official welcome receptions will be staged by organizations in 
Cameron County, TX, and the cities of Brownsville, TX, and Matamoros, 
Tamaulipas Mexico.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in extending congratulations to Ms. 
Lucha Villa for being honored with this special award.

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