[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 108 (Thursday, June 29, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                EDINBURG, TEXAS, NAMED ALL-AMERICAN CITY

                                 ______


                           HON. E de la GARZA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 29, 1995
  Mr. de la GARZA. Mr. Speaker, at its ceremony in Cleveland this past 
weekend, the National Civic League announced it had selected the city 
of Edinburg, TX, as an all-American city for 1995. A finalist for the 
award 27 years ago, Edinburg is one of only 10 communities nationwide 
named by the League--and is, in fact, the only Texas town to be 
selected.
  Chosen from 145 original entries, communities were evaluated on how 
well they addressed such problems as youth violence, affordable housing 
and downtown revitalization through grass-roots activism and 
collaborative problem solving. ``Responding to unacceptable high rates 
of youth crime and violence, citizens, city agencies and service groups 
initiated a comprehensive package of crime prevention, anti-drug, 
mental health, education, recreation and employment programs,'' the 
awards announcement for Edinburg said.
  This recognition is certainly a testimony to Edinburg Mayor Joe 
Ochoa, to the city commissioners Roy Pena, Pete Rodriguez, Toribio 
Palacios, and Ofelia De Los Santos, and to the people of Edinburg who 
have jointed together to make their city such an outstanding community. 
It is truly a great honor.
  At the awards ceremony Civic League Chairman John Gardner commented 
there is a paralysis and pessimism that infects too much of the country 
today, and that it is communities such as Edinburg which demonstrate 
the grassroots activism, can-do spirit and creative foresight needed to 
renew our country. I fully share those sentiments. Indeed, I think I 
speak for all of us in south Texas when I say how proud we are.
  Congratulations.
  

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