[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 31 (Thursday, February 16, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        TRIBUTE TO MARIA VICTORIA

                                 ______


                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 16, 1995
  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and pay tribute to 
Ms. Maria Victoria, 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. Maria Victoria is the 31st Mexican citizen to be honored by the 
Mr. Amigo Association. She has been a successful artist whose talent 
dates back to the Golden Cinema Era of Mexican music and films. At the 
tender age of 9, with the encouragement of her two sisters, Maria 
debuted in ``La Carpa Mexico'' for which she was paid 9 pesos. In 1949, 
however, she launched her enormously successful adult career at the 
Teatro Margo in Mexico City. Her first hit, ``Soy Feliz'', catapulted 
her to the top of the popularity charts. Then there followed an 
avalanche of musical hits, to name but a few: ``Esta Sellado'', 
``Eso'', ``Como un Perro'', ``Mi Ultimo Fracaso'', ``Mil Besos'', 
``Sabes Que Te Tengo Ganas'' . . . She has appeared in such classic 
Mexican films as: ``Serenata de Acapulco'', ``Si mi Vida'', ``Mujeres 
de Teatro'', ``No me Vuelvo a Enamorar'', ``Monte De Piedad''. For 14 
uninterrupted years, Maria Victoria has turned to comic roles such as 
TV series, ``La Criada Bien Criada''. Maria Victoria has made 48 
movies, turned out more than 100 albums, starred in numerous TV 
programs, and has made five theater performances on the stage of Mexico 
City.
  Ms. Maria Victoria is the perfect recipient of the Mr. Amigo award, 
for she has, over the long period of her career, taken her unique song, 
screen, and stage performances to numerous 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. Maria Victoria 
should be recognized for both her artistic ability, and for her 
contribution to the commitment of understanding between nations.
  Mr. Amigo, Ms. Maria Victoria, will receive the red-carpet treatment 
when she visits Brownsville as the city's honored guest during the 
upcoming Mr. Amigo celebration. During her 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. 
Maria Victoria for being honored with this special award.


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