[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 106 (Thursday, September 9, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE ON THE 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF MEXICAN HERITAGE PLAZA

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                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 9, 2004

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge and commend the 
Mexican Heritage Plaza/Centro Cultural de San Jose on its 5th 
anniversary.
  The Mexican Heritage Corporation opened its Mexican Heritage Plaza 
(MHP) in September 1999 to nurture pride and promote appreciation, 
interest and awareness of California's Latino cultural heritage.
  The Mexican Heritage Plaza/Centro Cultural de San Jose is in the 
heart of San Jose's oldest and largest Mexican-American community. The 
Plaza's goals are to capture the spirit of the Mexican-American 
community, to complement neighboring schools by providing educational 
opportunities, to establish a ``landmark'' gathering place and to 
provide a center for learning about history and culture. The Mexican 
Cultural Heritage Gardens and Plaza have become a destination for 
everyone who lives in or visits the Bay Area.
  The complex includes a 500-seat state-of-the-art theater, classrooms, 
three distinct thematic gardens, a centralized plaza and and La 
Galeria, a 4,000-square foot exhibition space with two art galleries 
celebrating the Latino legacy. La Galeria is one of only ten affiliates 
of the Smithsonian Institution in California.
  MHP has launched the annual San Jose International Mariachi Festival 
and Conference, a successful education and concern program. Every July, 
they teach hundreds of children and adults the music and dance that 
originated in western Mexico. The public is invited to Mariachi 
Concerts featuring world-renowned musicians, a splendid Mariachi Mass, 
a procession on Sunday and an outdoor Mariachi Festival at the Plaza.
  I can tell you from first-hand experience that I am proud of the 
leadership, volunteers and network of supporters whose dedication has 
built the Mexican Heritage Plaza/Centro Cultural de San Jose into an 
integral part of the fabric of our local community.

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