[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 12, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3627-S3628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    MARIACHI CONFERENCE AND FESTIVAL

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today in celebration of the Clark 
County School District's Seventh Annual International Mariachi 
Conference and Festival. This event promotes cultural awareness, 
positive citizenry and encourages students in the Las Vegas community 
to succeed academically via the performance of mariachi music.
  The Clark County School District's Secondary Mariachi Education 
Program provides an annual 3-day Mariachi Conference and Festival where 
students from across the school district participate in 2 days of music 
and dance workshops taught by renowned, professional clinicians/
performers of the mariachi and ballet folklorico art forms. In this 
setting, students learn and perform a variety of musical pieces that 
demonstrate the highest level of musicianship and performance possible 
for their level of experience. The Mariachi Conference and Festival 
culminates in a professional concert production in which all student 
participants display their musical talents and newly-acquired skills to 
an audience of proud parents, school district personnel, and at-large 
community members. Participation in this program is something to be 
proud of and I congratulate all who are instrumental in the development 
of this local initiative.
  In 2002, the Clark County School District recruited Jesus Javier 
Trujillo to establish the Mariachi Education Program as a means to 
provide a creative

[[Page S3628]]

and effective alternative for students to remain engaged in their 
schools. I salute Jesus Javier Trujillo for his visionary efforts in 
enabling the growth of such a dynamic program in Nevada. I also would 
like to thank and congratulate trustee Larry Mason, the board of school 
trustees, all administrators, teachers, and students for their 
continued commitment to this program.
  As the State grapples with high levels of dropout rates, projects 
like the Mariachi Program provide creative alternatives for students to 
remain engaged in schools. This is why I have long supported this 
program. The Mariachi Education Program has grown exponentially and has 
drawn national acclaim. Both instructors and students alike have been 
selected to participate in top-level mariachi conferences in New 
Mexico, Arizona and California. Aside from their musical talent, they 
have played a vital role in the formation of the National Mariachi Task 
Force and have partnered with the Gastellum Foundation to award 
aspiring young mariachi performers with academic scholarships to 
college. I extend my best wishes to the future of the Mariachi Program.

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