[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 6, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  HONORING THE GADSDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT MARCHING BAND, THE 
                           PRIDE OF SAN LUIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 6, 2012

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Gadsden 
Elementary School District #32 Marching Band for their accomplishments 
as a student band and as representatives of the city of San Luis.
   Gadsden Elementary School is in the San Luis, a city located in the 
Southwest corner of the State of Arizona on the border of San Luis Rio 
Colorado, Mexico. The school's marching band, the Pride of San Luis, is 
composed of 180 talented students and 15 dancers in grades 4 8. 
Director J Martin Peralta, Jr. and Music Coordinator Martin Peralta, 
Sr. have led this group of young men and women to countless victories, 
including first place awards in the Lake Havasu, Parada Del Sol Parade 
in Scottsdale, Arizona, the APS Phoenix Light Parade, as well as in the 
local Somerton Founder's Day Parade and the Yuma Lights Parade and most 
recently have been invited to the London Days Bridge Parade. Luis 
Marquez, Board President, said that ``Listening to the marching band is 
like listening to an amazing group of professionals: they have the 
enthusiasm, character, and talent they need to keep making a great job 
everywhere they go.''
   The Pride of San Luis is comprised of more than just talented 
musicians; they are exemplary scholars. Raymond V. Aguilera, 
Superintendent of Schools, said that ``[m]any of the band members go on 
to receive college credit during High School, take the ACT test and 
qualify for the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Program. The 
band's alumni have attended or will attend university programs 
throughout the country''. This group of hard working young people 
brings hope and pride to local residents. As William and Ellen Kiley 
stated: ``For those who worry about the future of our country, you have 
only to look at these young people to feel reassured that all will be 
well''.
   The parents, teachers, and citizens of San Luis cannot be more proud 
of their hometown marching band. Juan Carlos Escamilla, Mayor of the 
City of San Luis, declared: ``It is truly an honor. I'm so very proud 
of every single one of our kids. I'm so proud as a parent. I know they 
have a very strong goal. If any organization could do it--it's this 
group. They will make it happen.'' Music Coordinator Martin Peralta Sr. 
articulated it best: ``Esta generacon de estudiantes van a hacer 
historia y la experiencia que van a hacer historia ya que movera al 
mundo con su musica donde cada uno de los ciudadanos del pais se van a 
sentir orgullosos de ellos''.
   Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring these bright young student 
musicians and the adults that empower them to succeed.

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