[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 27, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ``MR. AMIGO 2007'' ANGELICA VALE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 27, 2008

  Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, I wish today to commend the 2007 ``Mr. 
Amigo,'' Angelica Vale, chosen recently by the Mr. Amigo Association of 
Brownsville, TX, and Matamoros, Tamaulipas, in Mexico. Ms. Vale has 
achieved popularity on both sides of the border for her television, 
film, and theater work.
  The Mr. Amigo Award began in 1964 as an annual tribute to an 
outstanding Mexican citizen who has made a lasting contribution during 
the previous year to international solidarity and goodwill. ``Mr. 
Amigo'' acts as an ambassador between our two countries and presides 
over the annual Charro Days festival.
  The Charro Days festival, held in Brownsville and Matamoros, is an 
opportunity to enjoy the unique border culture of the Rio Grande Valley 
area. A Lenten event, much like Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the festival 
was organized in 1937 by the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce to 
recognize Mexican culture and was named in honor of the charros, 
``dashing Mexican gentlemen cowboys.'' The festival includes parades 
complete with floats, as well as street dances, a rodeo, mariachi and 
marimba concerts, and ballet folklorico performances by school 
students.
  This year's Charro Days festivities will be held February 28 through 
March 2 and will include appearances by Ms. Vale. An actress since a 
child, Ms. Vale has received acclaim for her roles in films and 
television shows. She recently starred in the Mexican show La Fea Mas 
Bella, which inspired the popular American show, Ugly Betty. She has 
also been named one of People En Espanol's ``50 Most Beautiful Women.''
  This is the second time in the history of the Mr. Amigo Award that a 
parent and child have received such recognition. Ms. Vale's mother, 
singer Angelica Maria, received the award in 1996.
  The United States-Mexican border has a unique, blended history of 
cowboys, bandits, lawmen, farmers, fishermen, oil riggers, soldiers, 
scientists, entrepreneurs, and teachers. The Charro Days festival 
reflects that deep sense of shared history and experiences, which is 
needed now more than ever. It is a time for all of us to not only 
remember our past, but to celebrate our future.
  The Charro Days festival and the Mr. Amigo Award unite sister cities 
on both sides of the border and send a message that we are neighbors, 
and friends that trust, understand, and respect each other. We share a 
language, customs, and experiences unique to our communities, and 
during Charro Days we take time to celebrate our distinctive culture.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in commending Angelica Vale, the 2007 
Mr. Amigo, as well as the cities of Brownsville and Matamoros, for 
their dedication to international goodwill between the United States 
and Mexico.

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