[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 39 (Wednesday, March 20, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S2421]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO THE CORONADO HIGH SCHOOL THUNDERBIRD BAND OF EL PASO, TX

  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, it is with much pride that I rise 
today to recognize the 160 members of the Coronado High School 
Thunderbird Band who will be representing North America in the Russian 
Republic's Freedom Day Parade this May. These gifted student musicians 
from El Paso will travel to Moscow this spring to celebrate the rise of 
democracy there and to share their extraordinary musical talents with 
the people of Russia.
  It was last September when Richard Lambrecht, the students' band 
conductor, received the phone call from the Russian Ministry of 
Culture, inviting the Coronado students to perform in the Freedom Day 
celebration held annually in Red Square. Since that moment, the 
students, their parents, and their avid supporters have been working 
tirelessly, day and night, to raise the necessary funds for this once-
in-a-lifetime trip and to maintain their exceptional grade point 
averages.
  This recognition is a fitting testament to the dedication, character, 
and talent of these Texas teenagers. But it is not the first honor the 
Thunderbird Band has received. In fact, the band has received the 
Sudler Flag and the Sudler Shield for both concert and marching 
performance by the John Phillip Sousa Foundation. These awards are 
given to only two bands annually, representing the best in the United 
States for that year. Coronado is one of only three bands to have ever 
received both designations.
  In addition to honoring the Thunderbird Band for this achievement, I 
would also like to welcome both Alexander Demchenko, the Russian 
Minister of Culture, and General Victor Afanasiev, the Russian General 
Conductor, to the United States. These two officials will be visiting 
the Coronado students on March 27 in El Paso. The Republic of Russia 
has generously offered to finance a portion of the band's traveling 
costs, and I would like to thank them for their country's cooperative 
efforts in making this trip a reality for the Coronado students.
  Mr. President, I am confident that the Coronado High School 
Thunderbird Band will represent the people of Texas, the United States, 
and North America with both honor and distinction. I congratulate them 
on this remarkable accomplishment, and I wish them the best of luck in 
their future endeavors.
  Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

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