[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 129 (Wednesday, November 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2037]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MR. ELMO LOPEZ, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 15, 2006

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Elmo Lopez, Sr., 
as a recipient of the 2006 Longhorn Legacy Awards, given to him on 
October 5, 2006 by the Laredo Chapter of the University of Texas Ex-
Students Association.
  Elmo Lopez, Sr. is a native of the city of Rio Grande and now 
currently resides in the city of Laredo in the State of Texas. He 
graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in music, 
a Bachelor of Arts in 1953 and a Masters in 1957, and thus began a 
long, accomplished musical career. Shortly after graduation, he worked 
as Band Director for the Laredo Independent School District, bringing 
his experience as a band member of the UT Longhorns Band to Lamar 
Junior High, Martin High School, and Nixon High School from 1953 to 
1967. During this time, he served in several posts with the Texas Music 
Educators Association.
  Mr. Lopez's passion for music was recognized by the Texas Legislature 
for promoting good will between the United States and Mexico through 
musical exchange programs. He also was honored in 1963 with Laredo Paso 
Doble, a musical composition written by Professor Clifton Williams at 
the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to having guest 
conducted the UT Longhorn Band on numerous occasions, he also conducted 
the United States Armed Forces band and the Special Presidential Band 
of Mexico.
  In 1987, Mr. Lopez founded the Laredo Chapter of the UT-Exes as a way 
to keep the connection between the University of Texas at Austin and 
its alumni in the city of Laredo. He dedicated his time and energy to 
the University including 12 years of service on the Board of Directors 
of the UT Dad's Association, and was named Distinguished Alumnus in 
1993 and honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Laredo 
UT-Exes.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize the 
dedication of Mr. Elmo Lopez, Sr. to his music and to the community of 
the city of Laredo.

                          ____________________