[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 209 (Thursday, December 10, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1129-E1130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING POET LAUREATE ROSA MARIA CEBALLOS DE LLANO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 10, 2020

  Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Rosa Maria Ceballos 
de Llano on being named the City of Laredo's 2020-2022 Poet Laureate.
  Rosa was born in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico to parents Manuel Ceballos and 
Evangelina

[[Page E1130]]

Ramirez de Ceballos. She attended Colegio America Elementary School in 
Nuevo Laredo before attending St. Augustine High School in Laredo, TX, 
where she was class valedictorian. She would soon earn an Associate of 
Arts Degree from Laredo Junior College and then a Bachelor of Arts 
Degree in Spanish and History from Texas A&I University-Kingsville. 
Years later, she would continue her studies at Laredo State University 
where she earned a Master of Science in Secondary Education and 
Spanish.
  In 1969, Rosa joined the Laredo Independent School District, where 
she taught for 39 years. Over the course of her time at Laredo ISD, she 
was known as an outstanding teacher and an inspiring person. She was an 
individual who dedicated her time to ensuring that her students gained 
an enriching education while always pushing them to challenge 
themselves with new experiences. For example, she sponsored study 
abroad trips to Spain, hosted oral Spanish poetry and prose contests, 
and created a Mother's Day program of original poetry and prose 
compositions. She would also have her students present their poetry to 
dignitaries honored at the annual LULAC Senor Internacional. In 
addition to her work at Laredo ISD, she also served as an Adjunct 
Spanish Professor at Texas A&M International University for several 
years. She was also a Hispanic Studies PhD Candidate at Texas A&M 
University-College Station, where she passed all oral and written 
exams.
  Rosa is also a renowned artist, Her poetry has given a strong and 
distinct voice to those in the border community. She understands the 
unique experience of Laredoans and brings that familiarity to a larger 
audience. I appreciate her work and the guidance she has given to 
countless students. Her work in the field of education is both moving 
and a reminder of how many lives can be touched by just one individual.
  For her work, she has received numerous awards, including: Laredo 
Morning Times Woman of the Month, Cigarroa High School Teacher of the 
Year and the Raices Award, Webb County Heritage Foundation Traditions 
and Folklore Award, El Manana Literary Award, National Endowment for 
the Humanities Fellowship, Laredo's Golden Apple Award, Laredo Chamber 
of Commerce Bell Award, University of Texas Excellence in Teaching 
Award, and Texas Spanish Teacher of the Year. She was also inducted 
into the Laredo Women's Hall of Fame in 2000.
  Madam Speaker, I congratulate Rosa Maria Ceballos de Llano on this 
prestigious recognition and I wish her the best moving forward.

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