[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22817]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



          SANTIAGO JIMENEZ RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS MUSICIAN AWARD

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                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 12, 2000

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Santiago Jimenez of San 
Antonio, Texas, who is being recognized for his accomplishments as a 
singer and accordion player by the National Endowment for the Arts. The 
National Heritage Fellowship is an award given to a select group of 
people, reflecting the diverse heritage and cultural tradition that 
have become a part of our society.
  Local artists are nominated by a member of the community, in 
recognition of the artist's excellence in a particular area. Each year 
only a select group of these artists are honored. The National 
Endowment for the Arts has awarded only slightly more than 222 National 
Heritage Awards.
  Mr. Jimenez plays a style of music known as conjunto, which has both 
German and Mexican roots. His music interest began when his father 
would take him to hear German polka bands in New Braunfels, Texas. At 
the age of 15, he began performing professionally at weddings, clubs 
and traditional community settings. Following his father's example he 
developed creatively and incorporated a wider audience. In 1958, at the 
age of 17, with his brother he recorded El Principe y el Rey del 
Acordeon. Since then, he has made 60 recordings of more than 700 pieces 
of music on several different labels.
  He started Chief Records, his own label, in order to give younger 
musicians the opportunity to have their music heard. He works to help 
others in an industry that he has experienced barriers to entry. Mr. 
Jimenez has toured throughout the US, Europe and South America to bring 
the world of conjunto music to millions.
  I join the City of San Antonio and the National Endowment for the 
Arts in recognizing Santiago Jimenez on his accomplishment as a 
recipient of the National Heritage Fellowship award.

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