[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 123 (Friday, August 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF MS. LINDA ESCOBAR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FILEMON VELA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2014

  Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Linda Escobar for 
her many contributions to Tejano and Conjunto music.
  Linda Escobar is a native of Alice, Texas. She and her father, noted 
conjunto pioneer Eligio Escobar, created an act that toured nationwide 
with a group of musicians that included Lucha Villa, Jose Alfredo 
Jimenez, Cantinflas, Los Relampagos and Freddie Fender.
  While still a child in the late 1960s, Ms. Escobar composed and 
recorded the gold record ``Frijolitos Pintos.'' After the death of her 
father in 1994, Ms. Escobar collaborated with Japanese accordionist 
Kenji ``El Gato'' Katsube, to create an electric mix of Asian/Tex-Mex 
music. Ms. Escobar was awarded Female Vocalist of the Year at the South 
Texas Conjunto Association Music Awards in both 2001 and 2003.
  To pay tribute to her father and other veterans, Ms. Escobar founded 
``El Veterano Conjunto Festival,'' now in its 16th year of existence, 
which raises funds for the Eligio Escobar Scholarship Fund for talented 
young conjunto musicians.
  In recognition of her distinguished musical career, she was inducted 
into the Tejano ROOTS Music Hall of Fame as well as the Texas Conjunto 
Music Hall of Fame. Additionally, she has received numerous other 
awards and accolades, including a key to the City of Alice.
  Known as the First Lady of Conjunto Music, Ms. Escobar has been 
instrumental in promoting Conjunto Tejano and Tex-Mex music throughout 
the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to honor Ms. Linda 
Escobar and her contributions to the Conjunto, Tejano and Tex-Mex 
genres. Further, I appreciate you joining me in recognizing her 
contributions to South Texas' cultural heritage.

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