[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             A NEW MEXICO DESERT FLOWER FLOR DE LAS FLORES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HEATHER WILSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 4, 2003

  Mrs. WILSON of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, today I bring to your 
attention Al Hurricane, a musical legend and the Godfather of New 
Mexico music. Al Hurricane has brought Norteno music to audiences 
throughout the Southwest and Mexico for 50 years.
  Al Hurricane was born on July 10, 1936 in Dixon, New Mexico. His 
birth name is Alberto Nelson Sanchez, but his mother gave him his 
famous nickname because he was like a little ``Hurricane,'' always 
knocking things over at the dinner table and running through objects in 
his path.
  He began singing when he was 3 and started playing the guitar when he 
was 5 years old. He was only 12 when he started to sing and play guitar 
at local restaurants. Throughout his 50 years of music, he formed 
several bands and played with legendary artists like Fats Domino, 
Marvin Gaye, Chuck Berry, Jimmy Clanton and Chubby Checker. He has 
recorded over 40 albums, tapes and CDs. His trademark ``black eye 
patch'' is a result of an injury he received in a serious automobile 
accident. Of course, he was on his way to play at a sold-out 
performance. The accident and the new eye patch could not stop his 
music.
  While Al Hurricane is known for playing and performing music, like 
Flor de las Flores, or Sentimiento, we cannot forget his strong 
commitment to his family and his community. He has eight children, 
several of whom have followed their father's footsteps into the music 
business. He has won numerous public service awards such as The 
Lifetime Achievement Award given to him by the New Mexico Hispanic 
Awards Association and the Governor's Award for Music. He is currently 
the State Chairperson for the National Education Association-New 
Mexico's Read Across America.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me and all the residents of New Mexico 
in honoring and thanking Al Hurricane for 50 years of bringing joy into 
our lives through his music and his commitment to our community. Here's 
to another 50 years of Rancheras, Nortenas, and Corridos from the 
Godfather of New Mexico music, Al Hurricane.

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