[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10189]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF THE EL PASO YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 27, 2012

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize the El Paso Youth Symphony 
Orchestra (EPYSO) and their Diplomatic International Cultural Exchange 
Tour.
  From June 25th through July 2nd, the EPYSO will partner with the 
Mexican national youth symphony, Sinfonica Esperanza Azteca, in a 
regional tour that will take them to prestigious venues in southern 
California. The journey will culminate with a performance aboard the 
USS Midway, honoring veterans and soldiers.
  The recognition of the tour would not be complete without mentioning 
the talented orchestra behind it. This year, Maestro Phillip Gabriel 
Garcia and his students will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 
respected and accomplished EPYSO. With over 3,500 students taught and 
200 shows performed, it is amazing to consider that just two decades 
ago, Phillip was a senior at Hanks High School when he first started 
this orchestra. EPYSO is now playing nationally in front of thousands. 
Its philanthropic motive of discovering hidden talent and potential in 
students throughout the city is also noteworthy.
  With the tour underway, the band is focused on providing a phenomenal 
show. Mayor John Cook and Maestro Garcia have worked with the El Paso 
musicians to promote the message that they are a band against bullies. 
Their musical compositions come with a moral that bullying in schools 
must stop. Their song ``I Am Not a Bully'' will not only demonstrate 
and promote equal and fair school policies, but also display to our 
Mexican counterparts that Americans are more sympathetic than many in 
the international community label us.
  Bullying is an unacceptable and growing problem in our schools. 
Bullying in all forms is unacceptable and social networks like Facebook 
and Twitter have only added fuel to the fire. All students suffer when 
bullying is tolerated, and we need to change if we want to see our 
youth progress as a generation. Our goal should be to provide students 
with a safe academic environment where students are comfortable and 
focused on their social and educational goals. Additionally, as a 
father and a grandfather, I would not want to witness any child being 
harassed or picked-on. Being bullied, especially at a young age, has a 
serious implication on a child's early social development that will 
negatively impact them for the rest of their lives. Thankfully many 
activists--like the students in the EPYSO and others--are combating 
this growing problem.
  I am proud of the Diplomatic International Cultural Exchange Tour. As 
the EPYSO travels across the Southwest with their Mexican counterparts, 
I hope that their message of tolerance will be one which the cities 
they visit will embrace and share in their communities.

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