[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24521]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO CELIA TORRES GARCIA MALDONADO

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                           of virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 2009

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise to join in the commemorations 
of Hispanic Heritage Month and as it is known in my district, as the 
Puerto Rico--Virgin Islands Friendship Celebration, to honor and 
commend a mover and shaker in my community, who has served our 
community, in particular its youth in an exceptional manner for many 
years. Celia Torres Garcia Maldonado, or Cielo, as she is 
affectionately known, has for the past thirty five years been the 
visionary behind an organization that has provided structure, 
creativity, and the opportunity to excel to young women and men on my 
home island, St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  In 1974, when her young daughter expressed interest in becoming a 
majorette, Cielo, finding that there were not any viable groups for her 
to join on St. Croix, took it upon herself, with the help of like 
minded friends to found the St. Croix Majorettes, an organization which 
has stood the test of time in providing a positive outlet for St. 
Croix's youth to develop their performing talent.
  As the story is told, with the purchase of a baton and the help of 
her sister Mirta L. Martinez, it all began. The St. Croix Majorettes 
was organized in May 1974 with Celia T. Maldonado as director, and 
Mirta L. Martinez and Maria Cotto as co-directors. These ladies were 
assisted by the late Miguel Duchesne.
  The local majorettes started with twenty girls practicing at the 
Canegata Ball Park. Within two months, and with the help of the Doc 
James Radio Talk Show, parents were encouraged to register their 
children and this led to an increase of 150 active participants. In 
1975, the St. Croix Majorettes and Marching Band were officially 
inducted into the Majorettes and Band Federation of Puerto Rico. The 
organization grew and eventually, Cielo and the St. Croix Majorettes, 
were responsible for hosting the first Majorette festival on St. Croix. 
Seven groups came from Puerto Rico and one from St. Thomas to 
participate in the VIPR Friendship Day celebrations.
  Under the leadership of Cielo, the St. Croix Majorettes have been 
invited and have participated in numerous festivities on the U.S. 
mainland and Caribbean islands representing St. Croix in a dignified 
and diligent manner.
  After thirty-three years, Celio T. Maldonado, director of the St. 
Croix Majorettes, has over 300 members who are still performing 
whenever they are called upon to do so. They continue to practice at 
their headquarters located in Est. Peter's Rest. All members and 
parents of the St. Croix Majorettes have become her most precious 
``extended family''.
  Her utmost satisfaction, pride and joy is when former members, who 
are now parents, bring their children to enroll. As she travels around 
and meets her ``extended family'', her proud remark is always, ``This 
is, or was one of my majorettes.''
  Cielo's reach has been far and wide. For instance, one of my 
staffers, Attorney Angeline Muckle Jabbar, one of the original group of 
little girls who are now successful in their careers, was molded by 
Cielo and the St. Croix Majorettes.
  Madam Speaker, today, I ask the Congress to join me in commending an 
outstanding Virgin Islander and American of Hispanic Heritage who 
continues to serve her community and its youth in an outstanding 
manner.

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