[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 126 (Thursday, July 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MEXICAN FOLKLORIC DANCE COMPANY OF CHICAGO

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. JESUS G. ``CHUY'' GARCIA

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 28, 2022

  Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I want to honor the Mexican 
Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago (MDFC), the oldest Mexican dance 
institution in our city, as it celebrates its 40th Anniversary this 
month.
  Folkloric dance refers to a dance style originating in Mexico, 
reflecting a diverse array of regions and states, blending a variety of 
techniques, tempos, music, and cultures to produce an art form as 
vibrant as the people of Mexico.
  Though Mexican folkloric dance is an art form that can be traced back 
to the ceremonial and social dance practices of indigenous communities, 
it also has multicultural influences, including Spanish, French and 
Caribbean, as well as from music and dance styles brought by immigrants 
from Africa, Asia, and other regions.
  Folkloric dances are an expression of Mexican, Mexican American, and 
regional pride. It has served as a measure of counter-colonialism and. 
storytelling, as dances often depict symbols, events, and other 
elements unique to the region that they originate from.
  These roots of pride and expression are what inspired the creation of 
the Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago in 1982, when two 
prominent community folk dance groups, Nuevo Ideal and Alma de Mexico 
merged after performing in the very first Ethnic Heritage Festival at 
the 1981 Illinois State Fair.
  Since 1982 the Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago has 
remained an integral part of our community. In its 40-year history, the 
group has provided free. dance education to hundreds of children, 
youth, and young adults across the city, providing the opportunity to 
connect with their Mexican heritage through the art of folkloric dance.
  In addition to providing young people with the opportunity to 
connect, the Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago has captivated 
audiences across the state, nation, and globe. They have performed for 
Presidents in both the U.S. and Mexico, and at major events like the 
World Cup, the Pan American Games, and Latin Grammys, and alongside 
performers like Juan Gabriel, Pepe Aguilar, and others.
  I commend the Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago for its 
contributions to our city's cultural life, and for their consistent 
engagement of young people into the history, culture, and art of 
Mexico, all of which form the heart of folkloric dance. Their 
captivating and vibrant performances serve as a testament to the 
flourishing Mexican Chicago community, and to the incredible presence 
it has and will continue to have in the city, state, and across the 
Nation. Let's celebrate its 40th anniversary.