[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 28, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E62]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAN ANTONIO HISPANIC CHAMBER OF 
                                COMMERCE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 2004

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, seventy-five years ago, in 1929, the 
consul general of Mexico in San Antonio, then as today a center for 
trade between the United States and Mexico, formed what was to become 
the highly successful San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. This 
week the Hispanic Chamber celebrates its 75th anniversary with pride in 
its past accomplishments and optimism for its future successes.
  As the oldest organization of its kind, the San Antonio Hispanic 
Chamber of Commerce continues to be a leading advocate for Hispanic, 
minority, and woman-owned businesses in San Antonio through individual 
business advice, networking, and advocacy. Widely respected today as a 
positive force in the business life of our community, the Hispanic 
Chamber, like its membership, had to overcome social and economic 
barriers on the path to success.
  Chartered in 1929 by Don Enrique Santibanez, the chamber focused on 
improving political and economic ties between the United States and 
Mexico. That mission remains central to the 21st Century Hispanic 
Chamber, which plays a lead role in promoting trade between the United 
States and our neighbors to the south in Latin America. The San Antonio 
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has helped make San Antonio the gateway to 
the Americas.
  Facing active discrimination, the early chamber had to do more than 
the typical chamber of commerce. Not only did it seek to promote 
business growth, it sought to develop Hispanic civic participation in 
the power centers of our community. As we continue to the battle 
against negative stereotypes the chamber continues its mission of 
training its members to become community leaders.
  And it has met with great success. For those of us in Congress, the 
San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce serves as a great resource and 
source of inspiration. Locally, the Hispanic Chamber provides 
leadership, expertise, and encouragement to the vibrant and growing 
Hispanic business community. Their success is our success.
  I would like to commend Chairman Leo Gomez and the 2003 Board of 
Directors for their leadership over the past year. They have continued 
the Chamber's tradition of molding Hispanic community leaders and 
advancing minority business interests. I know that the chamber's new 
chair, Elaine Mendoza, will take the chamber to new levels of success. 
Of course, the Hispanic Chamber's achievements reflect the hard work, 
dedication, and leadership of its staff, headed by chamber president 
Rita Elizondo. Our thanks to all of you for what you give to our 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to recognize the achievements of the 
San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as it marks 75 years of 
progress.

                          ____________________