[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 49 (Thursday, April 21, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 REGARDING: TEJANO SINGER LAURA CANALES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 20, 2005

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I join my fellow Texans--and many around the 
Southwest and the nation in paying special tribute to Laura Canales, a 
very special artistic pioneer, and a talented South Texan, who 
accomplished great things throughout her lifetime of performing.
  Before there was the phenomenon of Tejano giant Selena, there was 
Laura Canales, who paved the way for a number of Tejano artists in the 
late 20th Century. She contributed much to our culture and to the music 
industry, and became known as the ``Barbara Streisand of Tejano music'' 
and as ``Reina de la Onda Tejana,'' (queen of the Tejano wave).
  Tejano is a popular type of music in Texas and the Southwest that has 
become a huge industry with its own category in the Grammy Awards. 
Tejano is a combination of rock-n-roll and German Conjunto music. Some 
of the cultural influences on Tejano music include: Anglo, African, 
German, and Italian.
  Tejano was originally dominated by male performers and it was nearly 
impossible for women to break through in this genre. Laura Canales, 
with her unique voice and love of performing, became the first woman to 
enjoy real success in the world of Tejano, and was honored as the first 
woman to be inducted into the Tejano ROOTS Hall of Fame in Alice, 
Texas. This museum is the only one that is entirely dedicated in 
honoring great Tejano music figures.
  Laura's influence on Tejano music became readily apparent during the 
1970's and 1980's. With her distinctive voice and popularity, she 
released various albums that became hits, including her debut album, Si 
Vivi Contigo. Her numerous accomplishments include a dozen Tejano music 
awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year, Female Artist of the 
Year, and Female Entertainer of the Year. This Kingsville, Texas, 
native also understood the value of education, earning a bachelor's 
degree in clinical psychology from Texas A&M University and pursuing a 
master's degree.
  Laura Canales proved that a woman could be successful in the Tejano 
music industry . . . she broke the gender barriers that existed at the 
dawn of the emergence of popular Tejano . . . and she and paved the way 
for future, female Tejano performers.
  This Tejano legend and daughter of South Texas will truly be missed, 
although she will live on in her music, to be enjoyed by many future 
connoisseurs of Tejano. I ask my colleagues to join me in keeping her 
family--and her many fans--in our thoughts and prayers at this 
difficult time.

                          ____________________