[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E458-E459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 DE COLORES MEXICAN FOLK DANCE COMPANY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                              of califoria

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 24, 1998

  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, earlier this month I was witness to a most 
dazzling and energetic dance ensemble at their inaugural performance at 
the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This Washington, D.C. based 
dance company has received broad acclaim at major performances 
including the Presidential Inaugural's ``American Journey'' at the 
Smithsonian, and a near sellout concert performance commemorating 
Mexico's ``day of the dead'' at the Gunston Community Arts Center 
Theater.
  De Colores Mexican Folk Dance Company is unique in the area for its 
commitment to preserving and presenting the authentic, rich and varied 
interpretations of Mexican dance, music, and costumes. Their vision is 
to establish an Instituto de Danza for children and adults in the 
nation's capital to teach and train a future generation of artists. 
Performances are intended to foster greater understanding about Mexican 
art, history and culture. Members receive rigorous training, tutoring 
and

[[Page E459]]

performing opportunities, and are encouraged to strive for the highest 
standards in Mexican folkloric dance interpretation.
  Company General Director, Adriana Martinez, a former Capitol Hill 
staff assistant, began performing professionally at the age of 21 with 
the Ballet Folklorico de Stanford under the tutelage of master 
instructors Susan Cashion and Ramon Morones. She joined forces with the 
principal dancer and Co-Director Enrique Ortiz, former Director of Los 
Tapatios, to form De Colores Mexican Folk Dance Company in 1996. 
Principal dancers and several of the founding members each brought with 
them years of experience teaching, directing, performing, and training. 
Other Capitol Hill staffers performed traditional dances of Mexican 
regions highlighting Veracruz, El Norte (Chihuahua), Tamaulipas 
(Huasteca), and Region Jalisco. The company is composed of beautifully 
attired women: Constance Chubb, Gloria Corral, Guadalupe Jaramillo, 
Rocio Jimenez, Irene Macias, Irma Martinez, and Alma Medina. Along with 
male partners: Maximo Galindo, David Garcia, John McKiernan Gonzalez, 
Joseph Lukowski, Geoffrey Rhodes, and A. Santiago Alvarez.
  Mr. Speaker, the De Colores Mexican Folk Dance Company brings to our 
nation's capital a rich contribution of Latinos in the arts and 
humanities visible through their unique art form. I ask colleagues in 
Congress assembled to wish them great success as they move forward with 
our vision to educate children about Mexican culture and heritage 
through traditional folklore.

                          ____________________