[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13249]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE OPENING OF WALDENBOOKS ON THE SOUTHSIDE OF SAN ANTONIO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 21, 2004

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, we all stress the value of education and 
reading, yet we sometimes overlook the challenges some communities face 
in accessing books and reading materials. The Southside of San Antonio, 
a largely Hispanic neighborhood, did not have a single bookstore--until 
today. I am proud to announce that WaldenBooks has arrived on the 
Southside, changing the face of our community for the better.
  For years, community leaders and lay people have worked to attract a 
bookstore, and for years we received lots of excuses. That has now 
changed, thanks to the vision of WaldenBooks and the cooperative 
efforts of the owners of South Park Mall, community leaders, youth in 
the schools and area residents.
  I would especially like to mention Cesar Rodriguez, General Manager 
of South Park Mall, and Beth Riebschlager, Marketing Manager for South 
Park Mall, who have been great advocates and have pursued this issue 
aggressively. Councilman Richard Perez, Councilman Ron Segovia and 
Cindy Taylor, President of the South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, 
have lent unwavering support to this project. Books in the Barrio, the 
grassroots organization created by Marissa Ramirez, Astro Musquiz, 
Vickie Grise, Tim Duda and Ed Sonnen, have kept this issue in the front 
and center of all of our minds by hosting events at South Park Mall, as 
well as having petition drives and letter writing campaigns. I would 
especially like to thank Ken Bostic, Regional Director for this new 
Waldenbooks location, and TJ Jenson, Real Estate Manager for 
Waldenbooks, without whom none of this would be possible. My thanks 
also to Cindy Wirz of my staff who worked with the community leaders 
and organizations to support this great endeavor with me.
  For many years the Southside community has struggled to improve 
access to educational resources for its residents. The residents of the 
area signed petitions, wrote letters, and brought their case to the 
media in the hopes of bringing a bookstore to the Southside. Being a 
resident of the Southside myself, I too have dreamed of the day when I 
would not have to drive outside of my community to purchase books, and 
now that day has thankfully arrived.
  Waldenbooks, a subsidiary of Borders Group, Inc., has chosen to open 
a location in South Park Mall. Opened in 1968, South Park Mall has been 
a premiere shopping spot for South San Antonians. Now 95 percent 
occupied with both national and regional retailers, this is an ideal 
location for Waldenbooks, which will occupy 3,000 square feet and will 
offer over 20,000 books and periodical titles.
  Having made the choice to locate to the Southside of San Antonio, 
Waldenbooks has chosen to invest in the residents of the area and the 
contiguous counties. Waldenbooks is determined to make an impact on the 
Southside and to be a good business partner by working directly with 
South Park Mall to create a children's program and a program for 
seniors.
  Today marks the beginning of what I hope will be a continuing trend 
in the Southside of San Antonio. Waldenbooks will provide a greater 
access to books and thereby, a greater access to learning. Waldenbooks 
has shown their willingness to take a chance on the Southside of San 
Antonio and I urge all Southsiders to return the favor by being loyal 
customers.

                          ____________________