[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 177 (Thursday, November 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          COMMEMORATING EL CASINO BALLROOM'S 60TH ANNIVERSARY

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                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2007

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate El Casino 
Ballroom's 60th anniversary.
  For sixty years, El Casino Ballroom in Tucson, Arizona has been a 
community and culture center in Tucson and much of Southern Arizona.
  El Casino has touched the lives of many generations; it is a place 
where families and friends celebrate weddings, quinceaneras, 
anniversaries, and major events in our lives. It has been a center of 
culture and history for generations.
  For the community, El Casino is the place you look forward to going 
for concerts, where you hope to see your child celebrate his or her 
marriage, and where you know any event will bring together new and old 
friends. For the young, your first celebration at El Casino is a rite 
of passage.
  To celebrate and thank El Casino Ballroom for their service to the 
community is also to remember how and why El Casino started. Three 
friends--Ramon Siqueiros, Benjamin Jacobs and Adolfo Loustaunau--
brought their vision for a place for Mexican-American families to 
gather. The friends purchased the land and were part of the 
construction team that built the ballroom on 26th Street between 2nd 
and 3rd Avenues. They were the owners, the builders, the managers, 
and--with their families--the cooks.
  For Tucson, El Casino Ballroom is a safe place. In 1947, places 
throughout Tucson were discriminatory, posting signs of who could and 
could not frequent the clubs. El Casino was open to all--Mexican 
Americans, Anglos, African Americans, and anyone who wanted to dance, 
listen to music or celebrate.
  Local and famous artists have performed throughout the years in the 
ballroom. Among the notables are: Little Joe, Vicente Fernandez, Perez 
Prado, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Pedro Infante, Javier Solis, Jose 
Alfredo Jimenez, Los Tigres del Norte, Los Lobos, Mariachi Vargas de 
Tecalitlan, Duke Ellington, Ike and Tina Turner, Chuck Berry, Queen Ida 
and local son Lalo Guerrero.
  El Casino Ballroom was sold to the Latin American Social Club, a 
group that is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this weekend. The Latin 
American Social Club is an organization committed to improving the 
community needs, and since 1968, they have kept El Casino open.
  In 1991, El Casino was temporarily closed due to roof damage. From 
that temporary loss, the community had a void to fill. After much work, 
fundraising, construction, and community support, El Casino opened its 
doors again in 2000. The resurrection of this historical landmark was 
celebrated throughout Tucson.
  When the doors opened, the regular crowds, enthusiasm, and 
celebrations commenced. The return of El Casino Ballroom was like the 
return of the most treasured family member.
  I congratulate El Casino Ballroom on its anniversary; I wish them 
many more years so that current and future generations will continue to 
share in its cherished memories. El Casino is in our hearts. It is a 
strong part of our community, and is a natural extension of most Tucson 
families.

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