Tejano Association for Historical Preservation

On Friday, January 23 at 5:00 p.m. the Tejano Association will have a general meeting at the Latino Learning Center located on 3522 Polk, phone # 713-223-1391, Houston, Texas 77003. From Interstate 45 South; exit Scott. Turn north at Scott under the freeway and proceed north. The Latino Learning Center is located on the right hand side at 3522 Polk. Topics to be discussed will be the formation of committees to assist in the H.I.S.D Project of the Collection of Coins for the Tejano Monument and the Cesar Chavez Parade to be held Saturday, April 3, 2004 beginning at Cesar Chavez Boulevard and Capitol. We need your support to make both of these projects successful. Please make plans to attend this meeting.

On Dec. 12, 2003, Loretta M. Williams, Benny C. Martinez and Linda Alonzo Saenz addressed the Houston Independent school Board to request that a resolution be passed requesting district wide support of the collection of coins to be donated for the Tejano Monument Project to be erected in front of the Capitol in Austin. This resolution was passed thanks to the support of ex H.I.S.D. school board members, Olga Gallegos, Esther Campos, Dr. Abelardo Saavedra, Executive Deputy Superintendent of H.I.S.D., and José Treviño, Jr. Superintendent of the South East District. Houston I.S.D. is the first major school district to support the collection of coins for the Tejano Monument. The Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) chapter at Edinburg North High School chapter was the first school group to donate and collected $565.79 in pennies. They presented their collection at the Tejano Gala held at the Bob Bullock Museum, November 10, 2001.

The H.I.S.D. board meeting was followed by a reception honoring the retiring of H.I.S.D. board members Olga Gallegos and Esther Campos who served 16 and 8 years respectively. The reception was well attend by H.I.S.D. board members, family and friends. Hon. Sen. Mario Gallegos was also in attendances as well as Roy Zermeno of Southwestern Bell and new H.I.S.D. board members, Diana Davila and Manuel Rodriguez. T.A.H.P salutes the retiring board members, Ms. Olga Campos and Esther Gallegos for their many years of service to the Houston community.

Mr. Benny C. Martinez recently completed a 130 mile horseback ride from Goliad, Texas to the Capitol in Austin, Texas on Nov. 20, 2003. The purpose of the ride was to raise awareness and monetary funds of pledges per mile for the Tejano Monument. Special thanks are extended to Hon. State Rep. Ismael "Kino" Flores (District 36-Mission), Chief of Staff, Richard Sanchez, Homero S. Vera and Dr. Cayetano Barrera for organizing receptions and arranging security along the way. Also, an extra thanks to Richard Sanchez and Anna Yanez-Correa of LULAC for their contribution of public relations.

Mr. Martinez was able to make stops at Brook Elementary and Sanchez Elementary collecting the coins that were donated by the children for the Tejano Monument. The ride was a success in that it was well covered by the media and numerous donations were made. Special thanks to Raul C. Martinez Jr., Lucy Martinez, Ernest Martinez, Larry Zermeno, Richard Delano, Ralph Salazar, Bobby Rendon, Estella and William Zermeno. Mr. Benny Martinez also enjoyed the horse back company of Dr. Cayetano Barrera, his son, Marcus Barrera, Richard Sanchez, Dr. Homero Rivas, and his brother Mr. Armando Rivas, who rode with him from Gonzales (site of the first shot that was fired for Texas Independence) on the Independence Trail to outside of Luling, Texas. To view Mr. Martinez and Hon. State Rep. Kino Flores riding into the Capitol along with other horsemen and the presentation of the proclamation by Hon. State Rep. Kino Flores visit the website of http://www.tejanoahp.org For more information about the Tejano Monument please visit the website of http://www.tejanos.com

Mr. Jeff Dunn Chairman of the San Jacinto Historical Advisory Board recently announced the Fourth Annual Battle of San Jacinto Symposium will be held at the Hilton Conference Center University of Houston Campus on Friday, April 23, 2004. The theme this year is "Digging for History: New Insights on the Origin of the Texas Revolution and the Battle of San Jacinto."

The first part of the seminar will focus on the state's most recent archeological discoveries made at the San Jacinto battleground during 2003 in connection with the battleground master plan. Tedd Hollingsworth, Coastal Resources Coordinator, and Michael Strutt, Director of Cultural Resources both of Texas Parks & Wildlife Department will present the first archeological study of the park focusing on the battle of San Jacinto.

Dr. James E. Crisp will act as moderator for the second part of the presentation . Dr. Gregg Cantrell of Texas Christian University, author of Stephen F. Austin, Empresario of Texas and Dr. Andrés Tijerina of Austin Community College, author of Tejanos and Texans Under the Mexican Flag, 1821-1836 will speak about their research on colonization in Mexican Texas and events leading to the outbreak of the Texas Revolution.

Jack Jackson and John Wheat will present on their latest highly acclaimed book Almonte's Texas: Juan N. Almonte's 1834 Inspection, Secret Report & Role in the 1836 Campaign. Jackson and Wheat also recently edited and translated Texas by Terán: The Diary Kept by General Manuel de Mier y Terán on His 1828 Inspection of Texas.

The Symposium is a project of the San Jacinto Historical Advisory Board, San Jacinto Battleground Association, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, San Jacinto Museum, San Jacinto Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and Sons of the Republic of Texas, Harris County Historical Commission and many other co-sponsors, including the Texas State Historical Association. A large committee of volunteers make this event possible.

Symposium fees are $35.00 with lunch included, or an individual patron fee of $100.00 with also an invitation to attend a reception on April 22, 2004 honoring the guest speakers.

For more information regarding registration contact symposium Co-Chairs Jan DeVault at jdv3dge1@ix.netcom.com or 281-495-1488 or email Greg Gregson at ggregson@marklshidlerinc.com

On April 21, 2004 there will be a ceremony commemorating the Battle of San Jacinto at the San Jacinto Monument. The USS San Jacinto will also participate. For more information call 281-479-2421.

On April 24, 2004 The San Jacinto Freedom Festival and Battle Re-enactment, will be held at the San Jacinto Museum of History, San Jacinto State Historical Park, for more information call 281-479-2421 or email C. David Pomeroy, Jr. at digger@earlytexashistory.com

25 Years...Tradition, Folklore, & Pride ~ 25 Años...Tradición, Folklor, Y Orgullo

by prepaid reservation only $25.00 per person or $250.00 per table for preferred seating

The Ambassadors International Ballet Folklórico is a 501c3 Non Profit Organization

On February 28, 2004 - Glory at the Alamo will be held at Alamo Plaza in San Antonio, Texas, at 10:00 a.m.

to 6:00 p.m.. Admission is free. Living history reenactments portray the beginning of the 13-day Alamo siege.

Tejano Association Board Members Richard Perez and Margarito "Gunny" Vasquez spent the day of November 12, 2003 at Thompson Elementary of Spring I.S.D. speaking to the entire student body from grades 1-6 about the differences of the Armed Services, the patriotic holidays and what they represent, what days to fly the United States Flag, and how to display the colors. The students and staff were very appreciative of the T.A.H.P board members and presented them at the end of the day with mementos from their school.

Special thanks also to the efforts of Board Members Richard Perez, and Margarito "Gunny" Vasquez for their participation and leadership in the Houston Veterans Memorial Foundation which dedicated the Veterans Memorial Park (formerly Hardy/Tidwell Park) on 1800 Tidwell, Houston this past Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. Other invaluable committee members of the Houston Veterans Memorial Foundation were Domingo Marquez, Domingo Trevino, Richard Holguin, John Martinez and Ernest Eguia. The dedication of the park commemorates the sacrifices of Houston's Veterans and will be a lasting tribute. It features a memorial to Houston-area veterans who gave their lives defending freedom. Council Member Gabriel Vasquez, District H was very supportive of the project from its inception. He was instrumental in the name change, working with the various groups, city council, veterans and Houston Parks and Recreation Department. Participating at the dedication ceremony were Hon. Mayor Brown, Hon. Gene Green, Hon. Sheila Jackson Lee, City Council member Gabriel Vasquez, Roksan Okan-Vock, Director City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Ex City Councilman and Ex School Board Member Felix Fraga. Rey Avalos, Commandant of the Marine Corp League, Avalos Detachment, Erasmo Ortiz and Johnny Camarillo both members of the Marine Corp League, Avalos Detachment, GI Forum, Lucian Adams Chapter and Disabled American Veterans were also present and on guard at the dedication ceremony. The Houston community is appreciative of all who made this beautiful park possible.

SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD OF SHEEP & GOAT INDUSTRY IN TEXAS

by Arturo Resa, President of the Greater Temple-Belton LULAC Council #4593

Sheep and goat industry in Texas began with Spain's financial backing of Christopher Columbus to discover and explore North America. At this time of exploration wool was a major source of income for Spain. So, it should be no surprise that on Columbus's second voyage to the new world in 1493, he unloaded the first shipment of sheep and goats at Hispaniola. But, it was Hernando Cortez's conquest of the Aztecs in 1521, which opened the door for sheep and goats to be brought to the mainland of North America. With the Aztec empire under the control of Cortez, Spanish explorers and colonists swiftly penetrated the interior of New Spain (Mexico) bringing along their livestock of sheep, goats, pigs, and horses. In 1540 an expedition crossed the Rio Grande led by Francisco De Coronado. Coronado's expedition included five thousand head of sheep and goats to be used for meat and clothing for the two year journey. Then, in 1691, Don Domingo Teran lead an exploratory expedition to East Texas with a sizable 1,700 head of sheep and goats. In 1718 Martin de Alcorn founded San Antonio de Bexar (San Antonio) and brought one thousand head of sheep to the new mission. Soon new missions with their own herds of sheep and goats were being established along main waterways that snaked across Texas. It has been estimated that by 1757, sheep and goats totaled 13,000 head near present day McAllen, Texas. Ten years later in 1767 Father Gaspar Jose de Solis reported 17,000 head of sheep and goats around the San Antonio missions. Even though there were large herds of livestock around the mission it quickly became apparent that a misjudgment had been made in using Indian labor. It had been the practice of the Spanish Empire to conquer and convert natives to a life of ranching or farming. Indians in Texas proved they could not be conquered or converted to a life of farming or ranching. Consequently colonization in Texas began to slip and political authority weakens. An inspection by Marques de Rubi of Texas in 1765 reported that many of the Spanish missions were in disarray and their colonists were poorly protected from Indian attacks. This report lead to a Spanish decree in 1772 to close all Spanish missions in Texas and consolidate its colonists at San Antonio and La Bahia for better protection. This forced closing of missions and resettlement of colonists did not sit well with Texas born Mexicans (Tejanos) who for generations had owned ranchos near the missions with vast herds of livestock including sheep. By 1800, Texas sheep and goat populations declined rapidly due to destabilization of the ranching industry and political unrest in New Spain. This destabilization in Texas forced Tejanos to join the rebellion against Spain culminating with the Mexican Independence in 1821. Mexican Independence brought an end to the Spanish period in Texas. The end of the Spanish period in Texas may have ended, but it left lasting contributions to the sheep industry in breeding, pasturing, shearing, and even terminology that continues to be in use today by their descendants, the Tejanos.

Linda Alonzo Saenz, President	Loretta Martinez Williams, 1^st Vice President
Richard Perez, 2^nd Vice President	Margarito C. Vasquez, Board Member
Dr. Emilio Sarabia, Advisory Board Member
Benny C. Martinez, Advisory Board Member

Tejano Association for Historical Preservation

TEJANO NEWS

http://www.tejanoahp.org

January Issue 2004