[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E218]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO ANGELICA MARIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 11, 1997

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and pay tribute to 
Ms. Angelica Maria, the newly selected Mr. Amigo.
  Every year, members of the Mr. Amigo Assocation, who represent the 
city of Brownsville, TX, travel to Mexico City to select a new Mr. 
Amigo to serve as the honored guest of the Mr. Amigo festivities in 
Brownsville. The Mr. Amigo festivity is a 4-day international event 
which invites the United States and Mexico to celebrate the distinct 
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 major function 
which is eagerly anticipated by many South Texans as well as our winter 
visitors.
  We are honored to recognize Ms. Angelica Maria as the 33d Mexican 
citizen chosen by the Mr. Amigo Association. Angelica Maria ``La Novia 
de Mexico'' is one of the Spanish-speaking world's most loved 
entertainers. Angelica is a four-decade veteran of the movie, stage, 
television, and recording industry. She first garnered international 
recognition in 1952, when, as a child, she starred in an award-winning 
role as the year's best child actress in ``Mi Esposa y Yo.'' For over 
44 years, she has traveled all over the Spanish-speaking world amassing 
an impressive list of smash hits as a recording artist, stage actress, 
and star of television and movies. Her first American rock hit, 
``Eddie, Eddie,'' in 1962, propelled her to the top of the record 
charts. One of her most recent hits was a collaborative effort with the 
former Mr. Amigo, Vicente Fernandez. She has also appeared with former 
Mr. Amigo recipients Armando Manzanero and Marco Antonio Muniz. 
Recently, another former Mr. Amigo, Raul Velasco, dedicated his entire 
3-hour television show ``Siempre En Domingo'' in tribute to her 44 
years of artistic success.
  Angelica Maria's life's work is an impressive list of 56 movies, 16 
television soap opera starring roles, 44 television dramas, 54 record 
albums, and numerous musical spectaculars in theaters and night clubs 
from Santiago, Chile, to New York, Madrid, Spain, and Los Angeles. A 
litany of 171 awards in recognition of her brilliant career is 
highlighted by the ``Candileja de Oro 1996'' for her most recent 
success in the leading role of Esperanza in the television hit 
``Bendita Mentira.''
  Ms. Angelica Maria is a perfect recipient of the Mr. Amigo Award. For 
she has, over the long period of her career, taken her unique screen, 
television, and stage performances to numerous countries, including the 
United States. A true ambassador of her country and of 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. Angelica Maria should be recognized 
for both her artistic ability and her contribution to her commitment to 
bicultural relations between the two nations.
  Mr. Amigo, Ms. Angelica Maria, 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 parades and other festival 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. 
Angelica Maria for being honored with this special award.

                          ____________________