Tejano Association for
Historical Preservation
Lorenzo de Zavala Chapter
On April 25, 2003, The
Tejano Association for Historical Preservation is very fortunate to have Mr.
Benny C. Martinez, Tejano Association for Historical Preservation Advisory
Board Member and his sister, Mrs. Estella Zermeno both presenting at 7:00 p.m. at the Latino Learning
Center 3522 Polk, Hou. Tx. 77003. Mr.
Martinez will lecture about the devastating tornado of Goliad of 1902. This
storm took place on May 18, 1902 in the afternoon leaving 115 people killed and
230 people injured. This tornado was one of the most disastrous storms in Texas
History.
Mrs. Estella Martinez
Zermeno will lecture about Manuel Becerra and his relation to the
missions. He is her and Mr. Martinez’s
third great grandfather. He served as
the Ayuntamiento of Goliad, and was born in 1762 at the Presidio La Bahia de
Espiritu Santo. He died about 1849 in
Refugio. He was elected to accompany
Stephen F. Austin to the Colorado River and in 1827 Martin De Leon placed him
in charge of the colonists’ political and business affairs. He also helped negotiate a contract with the
Coco and Karankawa Indian Tribes. He
would later assist James Power in the colonization of the Power Colony at Villa
de Refugio. For more information please
visit the website
http://www.texas-settlement.org/marker/goliad/42.html
regarding the historical marker of Manuel Becerra. She will also talk about the Cabreras and the Canary
Islanders. Please make plans to attend
this historic meeting.
The Cesar Chavez Parade was
a success. Domingo Marquez was the
eloquent emcee at Hidalgo Park and many thanks are extended to Mr. C. Michael
Gaspard, Postmaster of the U.S. Postal Service, John Martinez of the U.S.
Postal Union, I.B.E.W., Carpenters Union, Plumbers Union, LCLLA, Avalos
Detachment, V.F.W., San Jacinto D.A.V., Gallegos Elem. Boy Scouts, Pugh Elem.
Sam Hou. Boy Scouts, Benny C. Martinez, Roy Zermeno and S.W. Bell. Mr. Gaspard
spoke of the April 23 issuing of the Cesar Chavez Stamp and how the U.S. Postal
Office is honored to be issuing a stamp after a great Mexican American
Leader. Hon. Congressman Gene Green,
City Councilman Gabriel Vasquez, City Councilwoman Carol Alvarado, Constable
Victor Trevino Precinct 6, Mrs. Campos of Houston Independent School Board and
Linda Alonzo Saenz, T.A.H.P. President, shared words of praise of Cesar Chavez
and words of encouragement for the community.
Hon. Congressman Green also presented T.A.H.P. Pres. Linda Alonzo Saenz
a Congressional Proclamation. The
Houston Police Dept., Military Museum of Texas, Tejano Center for Community
Concerns, Ballet Ambassadors, and Ballet Itzaey of Talento Bilingue de Houston,
also attended. The talented writer and
Channel 13 Producer, Evangelina Vigil-Piñón also read her poem entitled,
“Legacy” to the Memory of Cesar Chavez. Political Activist Mary Lopez gave a
brief synopsis of her work. The day
ended with ballet folklorico groups’ performances. If you are interested in serving on the Cesar Chavez Parade
Committee for next year please contact Linda Alonzo Saenz at 713-540-5449. Thanks to all who made the parade and
celebration a success.
The following is a synopsis
of the work of Mrs. Mary Lopez, our past T.A.H.P. speaker for Nov. 2002 and she
also presented a brief synopsis of her political activist work at the Cesar
Chavez Celebration.
Mrs.
Mary Lopez was asked by Mr. Emilio Luna, President of the Magnolia Civic Club
in 1958 to attend a Hou. City Council meeting and ask then Mayor Lewis Cutrer
to fix Hidalgo Park. This park would be
used for about 120 youngsters for their Little League Baseball. Ideal Plumbing Co. and William Construction
Co. had already donated the uniforms and equipment. Mrs. Loped volunteered, Father Brentine and Judge Robert Lowery,
Atty. at Law, also spoke on the needs of a park for the children. Mrs. Lopez told the Mayor and Councilmen,
“Parents get blamed for juvenile delinquency, and even though we are
responsible for the well being of our children, our children need more
recreational programs and therefore curb delinquency.” By the Friday of the same week, Mr. Gene
Burd of the Chronicle Neighborhood Section called Father Brentine, Mrs. Lopez
and Judge Lowery to come to Hidalgo Park and have their picture taken as
bulldozers were in the process of leveling the ground. Hidalgo Park, today has a baseball diamond,
bleachers, water fountains, restrooms, concession stand, lights, an electrical
system and a quiosco (gazebo). T.A.H.P
Member, Mr. Genaro Flores’ father, Mr. Flores was a carpenter and helped build
the gazebo in 1934. An artist by the
name of Lozano came from Mexico and helped design the quiosco, and used
concrete, but gave it the appearance of wood.
Mr. Lozano left his signature on the gazebo but city workers later
covered it. Pressure was placed on the
city to uncover the name. Mr. Lozano
would go on to do other construction work at Hermann Park and the Houston
Zoo.
In
1959 Magnolia Park was sold to the city of a freeway extension, leaving about
80 boys without a place to play. Mr.
Benito Zermeno wanted to obtain the land at Tipps and 75th for Mason
Park #2. Mrs. Lopez went again to visit
the Mayor and City Council with Mr. Manuel Crespo, and Mr. Richard
Holguin. She told the Mayor that “that
the people from Magnolia were as good as the tax payers from River Oaks,
Sharpstown and Westbury and a park was desperately needed for the older boys.” Today Mason Park #2 also has a baseball diamond,
bleachers, water fountains, restrooms and a concession stand.
Mrs.
Lopez graduated from Univ. of Hou. in 1982.
She worked at Milby as a High School teacher and translated a book for
the Universidad de Chile in Santiago in 1975.
She helped in the formation of P.A.S.O. and also helped form the “Viva
Kennedy-Johnson” Headquarters in 1960 along with Mrs. Juanita Vera. In 1964 she worked at the Johnson-Humphrey
Headquarters. Mrs. R.D. Randolph, at
the time National Committee Woman from the state of Texas also appointed her as
co-chairman of the “Gonzales for Governor” Campaign. Mrs. Lopez has served, as an election clerk, precinct judge and
worked for the drive against the poll tax.
She is a member of the GI Forum, a past member of the Harris County
Democrats and the T.A.H.P. T.A.H.P.
salutes the efforts and work of Mrs. Mary Lopez.
Legacy to the
memory of César Chávez
by Evangelina Vigil-Piñón
waste not the fruit of sacrifice
la vida es una
waste not the fruit
sudor en la palma
puños de tierra gris mojada
escarva
a pico y pala
escarva
waste not the broken backs
waste not the broken dreams
make something of the pain
make something of the toil
sueña tu historia:
revolucionarios
campesinos al partir del siglo
trabajadores de los veintes y treintas
sirvientes de guerras fútiles sin causa
migrantes de los cincuentas y sesentas
soldados ausentes
soldados perdidos en las selvas
guerreros torturados
los desaparecidos de los setentas
refugiados de los ochentas
recién lluegados de hoy y de mañana
esclavos del sistema
criadas y criados de la modernidad
niños de generaciones todavía no nacidas
conciencia de tiempos mas allá de las estrellas:
revisa tu historia
escarva
aprecia tu deber
grip the red soil with your fists
escarva
dig deeper
tear the parched earth with your hands
ignore the scrape of sharp rock
gashing lines of destiny
on the raw flesh of your palms
escarva
usa tu poder
comprométete
es tu vida
es tu derecho
waste not the fruit of sacrifice
escarva
para descanso hay tiempo
ya que todo se acaba
escarva
no pares
escarva
el destino no se halla
se hace
no desperdicies
escarva
waste not the fruit
la vida es una
2nd DAY ISSUE OF CESAR E. CHAVEZ STAMP
The 2nd
day issue of the Cesar E. Chavez Stamp will take place on May, 9, 2003 at 11:00
a.m. at the Cesar E. Chavez High School 8501 Howard Dr. Houston, Texas 77017,
Houston Independent School District.
The U.S. Postal Service in conjunction with the Tejano Association for
Historical Preservation and Houston Independent School District will be
sponsoring this event. Arturo S.
Rodriguez, President United Farmworkers of America AFL-CIO, will deliver the
keynote address. For more information
call Linda Alonz Saenz at 713-540-5449.
“The Rise of Hispanic Political Power”, by Jose de la Isla was
released to the public on Jan. 27, 2003. Mr. de la Isla has received praise from Publishers
Weekly and the University of California Educator Juan Delgado said, “a much
needed book… and excellent job of unfolding the political landscape.” Mr. de la
Isla recently had a reading and presentation at Rice University and River Oaks Bookstore. The book is also available at http://www.archer-books.com and http://www.amazonbooks.com Tejano
Association for Historical Preservation wishes Mr. de la Isla much success on
his career as a political writer.
Last minute
registrations can still be made for the Battle of San Jacinto Symposium 2003,
“San Jacinto: A Chapt. In U.S. – Mexico
relations” to be held on April 25 at the Houston Club from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00
p.m. Call 281-496-1488 for
information. Cost is $40.00. The Commemorative Ceremonies will be held on
April 26, 2003 at the San Jacinto Battleground at 10:00 a.m. at the San Jacinto
Monument San Jacinto Battleground State Park.
Ron Stone will serve as emcee and the eloquent Sam Houston IV will
deliver the keynote address. At 1:00
p.m. there will be a 55th Anniversary of the Battleship Texas. The Battle Reenactment will take place at
3:00 p.m. For more information
regarding the Battle Reenactment, call Jerry Tubbs at 713-973-1136. Please show your support for San Jacinto and
make plans to attend this historic event.
The T.A.H.P. will be laying a wreath at San Jacinto on April 21 at 11:00
a.m. Call 713-540-5449 for information.
T.A.H.P. extends condolences to John Martinez and Family on the recent loss of their mother.
|
Linda Alonzo Saenz, President |
Loretta Martinez Williams, 1st Vice President |
|
Richard Perez, 2nd Vice President |
Margarito C. Vasquez, Board Member |
|
Dr. Emilio Sarabia, Advisory Board Member |
Yvette Banuelos, Secretary/Treasurer |
|
Benny C. Martinez, Advisory Board Member |
|
For input
regarding the newsletter contact Loretta Martinez Williams at latejana3000@aaahawk.com