[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 12, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF AMADEO FLORES OF ALICE, TX

                                 ______


                           HON. FRANK TEJEDA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 1995
  Mr. TEJEDA. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize a distinguished 
resident of the city of Alice, TX. Mr. Amadeo Flores of Alice was 
inducted into the Tejano Music Hall of Fame on May 12 in San Antonio at 
the 15th Annual Tejano Conjunto Festival. It is a well-deserved honor, 
coming after 50 years of accomplished musicianship on the accordion and 
the bajo sexto. Mr. Flores is a pioneer of the diatonic accordian, an 
instrument vitally important to the development of the rich and diverse 
tradition of Conjunto music.
  During his career, Amadeo Flores traveled widely, playing in dance 
halls throughout the Southwest with many trailblazing Conjunto bands, 
including Tony de la Rosa and Los Sombra. Even in his retirement, 
Amadeo Flores plays music with Ruben Naranjo y Los Gamblers.
  Amadeo Flores, with his lifelong dedication to this music, 
exemplifies what is best about Conjunto. His talent and hard work and 
persistence are unmistakable. Despite years of arduous and constant 
travel and having to take jobs in other fields to support his family, 
Amadeo Flores contributed mightily to the history of a vibrant form of 
music. He stands as a vital link in the history of a music that 
stretches from the cotton fields and factories of the Southwest to the 
modern success of such artists as Emilio Navaira and Selena Quintanilla 
Perez.
  The music of a people is more than a collection of pleasant sounds 
and rhyming words. Taken as a whole, a tradition of music is the 
history of a people's thoughts and feelings and aspirations. Musicians 
like Mr. Flores, despite many hardships, worked hard to preserve the 
Conjunto tradition for future generations. With their talent and 
creativity, they kept the music alive for everyone to enjoy. Mr. Flores 
is still, to this day, playing music that moves people and helps 
express their emotions.
  The people who do the everyday work of helping keep a culture vibrant 
and growing are often forgotten. I am just taking a few moments to 
remark on a hard-working American, Mr. Amadeo Flores, who is receiving 
appropriate recognition, a place in the Tejano Music Hall of Fame.


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