Tejano Association for Historical Preservation

Lorenzo de Zavala Chapter

Post Office Box 231021   Houston, Texas 77223

 

Letter from the President, Loretta M. Williams

 

            Due to heavy thunderstorms, lightening and heavy winds the 8^th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Parade/March in Houston, TX was canceled, this past March 31, 2007 at 10:15 a.m.  This was our eighth year to hold the event and the first one that we had to cancel.  We were confronted with an issue of safety due to lightening and thunderstorms.  Over 55,000 Houstonians were without electricity this day knocked out by heavy winds, thunderstorms and lightening.  We could not run the risk of anything happening to the participants.

            Even though we had to cancel due to the weather, information was sent out to the schools about the life of Cesar Chavez, so we were able to pacify ourselves with the notion that students had been educated about his accomplishments and his history.  Also, the Tejano Association for Historical Preservation distributed San Jacinto trading cards of the Battleship TX to the students of Edison Middle School.     

            The parade this year was recognizing THE MICHAEL E. DEBAKEY V.A. MEDICAL CENTER andCarlos Escobar, Medical Center Associate Director, who was going to be recognized for his efforts and who was present in the storm. 

            Thank you to our many volunteers who assisted us in acquiring our parade permit, sound permit, health permit and organizing all of our paperwork in order.  Thank you to Linda A. Saenz for sending out invitations, announcements, filing the parade application, paying the fee, and monitoring the process.  Once again, thank you to Hon. City Councilwoman Carol Alvarado for her assistance.  Special thanks to Margarito “Gunny” Vasquez and his volunteers, John Martinez, and Erasmo Ortiz.  Thank you to HISD for again posting the information on the HISD website.  Thank you to Principal George Martin of Thomas A. Edison Middle School who opened up his school and agreed to host the parade.  Thank you to the Edison PTO parents who were going to sell and raise funds for their students at the park by selling refreshments and food at Hidalgo Park following the parade.  We had students from the Univ. of Houston, “Jovenes Immigrantes,” and the Student Government of Houston Community College ready to march.  The students of Edison Middle School, Raul Yzaguirre ROTC, Raul Yzaguirre Band, Amigos Por Vida Charter School, Port Houston Elementary, Cage Elementary, Aldine ROTC, North Shore ROTC, and the HISD School Board President Manuel Rodriguez who were all going to march.  We had a school bus of children from Tijerina Elementary who were waiting with their mothers and teacher as they were ready to march.  Thank you to Honorable Commissioner Sylvia Garcia and the East Harris County Senior Citizens, the Houston Police Dept. and the Houston Fire Dept. who had entered the parade this year.  Also thank you to Coalition in Defense for Communities and LZ Airborne who were both going to march.

            Hon. Constable Victor Trevino Precinct 6 had assisted us by inviting Benny C. Martinez and I to be interviewed in getting the word out via his television program, “The Victor Trevino Show,” which airs every Wed. at 6:30 p.m. on channel 18 or 19 depending on your cable provider.  Danny Perez, Constable Victor Trevino’s Administrative Assistant/ Public Information went beyond the call of duty by sending out press releases which was greatly appreciated.   Angela Mejia, TX State President of LCLLA drew up flyers, sent out email, spread the word and had a raffle with half the proceeds donated to TAHP.  Allan R. Jamail, Pipefitters Union Local 211 had also drawn up and distributed flyers and was ready to march in the storm.  Richard Shaw Treasurer/Secretary of the AFL-CIO was also at the school waiting to see if the rain would let up.  KPFT 90.1 had also promoted the march again this year.  .

            Our dependable photographer, Jaime Rivera also showed up in the thunderstorm and asked if we were still going to march and we told him regretfully no.  A reporter from the Houston Chronicle Ms.Meeks, who ran two stories in the Chronicle, was waiting in her car to interview participants and see if we would march in the storm.  There was a Hispanic Radio Station present as they wanted to participate.   DosCentavos.net by Stace Medellin also ran an announcement of the parade along with the UFW 5 minute video, “Embracing The Legacy.”   For more information go to: 

http://dos-centavos.blogspot.com/2007/03/celebrating-cesar-e-chavez.html

            We had last minute entries and last minute phone calls from the Green Party who has participated every year, Taxis Fiesta, various members of the community and candidates for office calling about the status of the parade.  We received phone calls from Honorable Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Honorable City Councilwoman Carol Alvarado asking if we were going to go ahead with the march as they were also concerned due to the weather and had planned to attend and take part in the ceremonies. 

            Sgt. Bernard Simien of HPD had worked with us and coordinated our men in blue, The Houston Police Dept. who were waiting on each corner in their cars in the storm to close down the streets if we were to march.  This year we also had a Houston Police Dept. photographer attend as he wanted to document the event by taking photos. 

            Our LULAC District 8 volunteer and Clear Lake LULAC President, Ronnie McNab also showed up to a canceled parade.

            The decision to cancel this parade was a hard one, but it had to be done for safety reasons.  We have already started working and planning for next year's 9th annual March which will be held March 29, 2008 Saturday at 10:00 a.m.   I have already sent communication on to the Chavez Foundation and informed them of our parade.  If you would like to serve on a committee for next year please contact Linda Alonzo Saenz at 713-540-5449.

            Since we are a small organization composed of volunteers we are requesting that members pay their dues and we thank those individuals and elected officials who supported the parade.  Thank you to our board members, Joel Lara and Joe Granados for their donations.  Your donations make our projects a reality.  Thank you to the guidance of Linda A. Saenz, Dr. Sarabia, Benny Martinez, Margarito “Gunny” Vasquez Richard Perez, Joel Lara, Joe Granados and our webmaster David Williams.

            Also, special thanks to Mrs. Mamie Garcia, Party Coordinator who assisted us last year with a Fiesta Club party and raised funds for the parade.  We could not have held our party without her help and that of her husband Mr. Garcia.  Also, thank you to Ms. Del Bosque, Fiesta Club Coordinator and Office Manager for her patience in working with us to set a date.  Thank you to Mr. Eugene Mallory who had everyone laughing and served as emcee at the event of Feb. 24, 2006 which was held at the Sociedad Mutualista Obrera Mexicana 5804 Canal Houston, Texas 77011 phone # 713- 926-2800.

 

The following speech was given by Arturo V. Ramirez, Atty. at Law in celebration of renaming 67^th St. Cesar Chavez Blvd. at the Latino Learning Center.

It was well attended by Tejano Association for Historical Preservation members, Houston’s Hispanic Community, Dr. Andres Tijerina and Juanita Tijerina of Austin, TX.  Dr. Tijerina also had a book signing at the Latino Learning Center that evening of April 1, 2000 of “Tejanos and Texas Under the Mexican Flag 1821-1836.”

 

 

SPEECH AT TAHP RECEPTION ON CESAR CHAVEZ DAY & CELEBRATION Latino Learning Center, Houston, Texas By: Arturo V. Ramirez  April 1, 2000

                Muchas gracias. Antes que todo, un brindis (saludo) al cumple anos de Cesar Chavez.  First and foremost, a toast (salute) to the birthday of Cesar Chavez.  Yesterday, March 31st, was Cesar Chavez' birthday.  He would have been 73 years old.  We should not only remember March 31^st as the day Selena died, but just as importantly -- if not more --- we should remember it as the day Cesar Chavez was born.

            Thank you for inviting me to the Cesar Chavez parade and street naming celebration. I want to first extend my congratulations to Benny Martinez and all the members, supporters and volunteers of the Tejano Association for Historical Preservation for their tireless efforts and dedication to this project and the excellent preparations for today's festivities that made this long overdue tribute to Cesar Chavez a resounding success.

            I am honored to have been selected as one --- out of the so many you could have chosen -- to say a few words on this historic occasion. I stand humbly before you as just one common person - out of millions --- who was profoundly and eternally touched by Cesar Chavez, and who was forever changed and influenced by his mighty spirit --- so deeply influenced that to this day I still boycott grapes!

            What can I say about Cesar Chavez that has not already been said about him - especially by people with higher rank than I have - and^-perhaps with a lot more eloquence than I could deliver?  All I can do is share with you what you already know - or should know - of his incomparable legacy, his lasting achievements and his bold vision - through the prism of my own experiences in life and my perceptions of what Cesar Chavez represents to us.

            As an organizer of "la raza," nosotros, la pleve, los de abajo, el pueblo hispano, in this country, Cesar Chavez has no equal.

            As a man of commitment to la causa, Chavez has no equal.  As a man of sacrifice, a man of absolute unselfishness, Chavez has no equal.

            As a Hispanic / Latino leader in this country, Chavez has no equal.

            Let it be written that Cesar Chavez was the greatest Hispanic / Latino leader - without exception - this country has ever had.

            Let it be known, let it be etched in stone that Cesar Chavez is unequivocally among the greatest "American" leaders of the 20th century.

            We look up to him as a hero. Yet he never sought to be one, or saw himself as a hero. A soldier, a warrior, in both war and civil strife, yes, but not a hero. "We" see him as a hero because we respect the unparalleled valor we witnessed in the actions he undertook, the marches he led, and the fasting he endured, all for the victory in the struggle for social justice. Yet, he saw himself as a humble person, no better than his fellow man, and doing nothing more than what any one of us could do. While this may be the plain truth, it is not the reality. What made him special and above the rest of us was his courage. He had more "ganas" and courage than all of us put together. Cesar Chavez is uniquely an American paradox.

            He had immense knowledge and wisdom - yet quit school after the eight grade to become a migrant farmer worker and help his family.

            His life was incredibly valuable; his worth was beyond any economic measure - yet during his lifetime he never earned more that $ 5,000 a year.

            He took an act of weakness -- fasting -- and turned it into his strongest weapon to achieve national recognition and support for the struggle and victory for the farm workers.            He redefined the word "macho". While mostly everyone had a negative view of being "macho", and stereotyped Latino males as being "male chauvinists," Cesar put it in a positive context. He was once asked by a reporter what being "macho" meant to him. He answered, “to be a man is to suffer for others."  It sounds better in Spanish, "ser macho es saber sufrir por otros."

            Esto, mis hermanos y hermanas, I believe, was Cesar’s greatest gift - and the legacy he left us. He knew how to give of himself to others -- and he did it unconditionally every day. He was a man who suffered for others who were in greater need to us that makes him a hero.  To him it was just being human. I would like to close with a prayer Cesar Chavez wrote, and leave you with his actual voice as he tells us, "si se puede", and hope that not only will we celebrate his birthday every year, but also, in his honor, continue the struggle every day!  Hasta la victoria!

PRAYER & REFLECT
Show me the suffering of the most miserable, so I may know my people's plight. Free me to pray for others, for you are present in every person. Help me to take responsibility for my own life, so that I can be free at last. Grant me courage to serve others, for in service there is true life. Give me honesty and patience, so that I can work with other workers. Bring forth song and celebration, so that the Spirit will be alive among us. Let the Spirit flourish and grow, so that we will never tire of the struggle. Let us remember those who have died for justice, for they have given us life. Help us love even those who hate us, so we can change the world. [The United Farm Workers’ Prayer]

(tape)

Que viva Cesar Chavez !

 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

_______________________________________________________

Media Advisory

San Antonio April 6, 2007

 

“The Tejano Battle of Medina”

(August 18, 1813)

On APRIL 6, 1813 the Tejano community, after months of brutal fighting, declared themselves free and independent from Spanish rule.  And now for the first time ever the public is invited to attend the “Tejano Battle of Medina Memorial Service.”  The “Battle of Medina,” the biggest and bloodiest battle for freedom ever fought in the State of Texas.  The ceremony will start 1:30 pm Saturday, April 14, 2007 in the Veterans Pavilion on the Strawberry Festival fairgrounds.  Mr. Maclovio Perez from WOAI San Antonio News will be the Master of Ceremony.  Dr Andres Tijerina Ph.D.Texas History Professor from Austin Community College and Author Dan Arellano will be the keynote speakers, with a special guest appearance by Mr. Robert Thonhoff, Author and Historian.

 

Many Mexican-Americans have sacrificed their lives defending freedom and democracy. Over a thousand Tejanos were killed in one battle alone in defense of these causes.  But this conflict was not on foreign soil.  Not on the beaches at Normandy, not in Korea, Viet Nam or Desert Storm although Tejanos were there, but much closer to home in south Texas, less than twenty miles south of San Antonio. The “Battle of Medina”…the forgotten history of the Tejanos, these first sons and daughters of the State of Texas….unknown and unrecognized for their ultimate sacrifice.

 

 This battle was between the evenly matched forces of The Republican Army of The North consisting of three to four hundred American volunteers, nine hundred to a thousand Tejanos and two to three hundred Lipan, Coushatta and Karankawa Indians and a Spanish army led by General Joaquin de Arredondo.

 

A little known fact is that the Tejano leader Colonel Miguel Menchaca, in the heat of the battle had been ordered to withdraw his men, whereas it is said that Menchaca responded “Tejanos do not withdraw,” and plunged back into the foray.  Out of the 1500-1600 that set out to fight on that hot August day only 100 would survive, making it the bloodiest battle ever fought on Texas soil.  Another three hundred twenty-seven Tejanos would be executed in San Antonio after the battle and a hundred more would be executed as they fled towards Louisiana.

And now it is time to honor those who fought and died 194 years ago.

 

Directions: Poteet is located on Highway 16 approximately 20 miles south of San Antonio. 

Dan Arellano Author/Historian                                       www.tejanoroots.org  

512-826-7569                                                              darellano@austin.rr.com

 

For Information, please call Barbara Eaves 713- 521-0768 Beaves1@houston.rr.com

The Friends of San Jacinto, P.O. Box 940536, Houston TX 77094-7536; call 281 496 1488 www.friendsofSanJacinto.org

Press Release

 

2007 BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO SYMPOSIUM

“Contending Factions Within the Texas Revolution”

 

The seventh annual Battle of San Jacinto Symposium will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2007, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Hilton Hotel and Conference Center, University of Houston in the Conrad Hilton Ballroom. 

            “Contending Factions Within the Texas Revolution” is the theme of the 2007 meeting.  A slate of outstanding speakers will focus on the differing perspectives of such groups as Indians and Tejanos (Dr. Gary Clayton Anderson); Texas Rangers (Stephen L. Moore); African-Americans (Dr. Fred L. McGhee); and women (Dr. Paula M. Marks) during the 1830s.  Finally, C. David Pomeroy, Jr. discusses the current contention over the location of Vince’s Bridge.  

            Presenting during the luncheon at 11:45 a.m. in the Shamrock Room of the Hilton Hotel and Conference Center, Univ. of Hou. will be Cayetano E. Barrera, M.D.  Dr. Barrera chairs Tejano Monument Inc., a non-profit group dedicated to raising funds to install a monument on the Texas State Capitol grounds to commemorate the contributions of Tejanos, Mexicans and Spanish to the State of Texas.  A family physician who practices in McAllen and was awarded the “Texas Family Physician of the Year” by the TX Academy of Family Physicians in 2005 Barrera followed in his father’s footsteps who practiced medicine in Mission, TX.  Dr. Barrera and his partners opened the first night clinic in the Valley in 1982; he was chief of staff at McAllen General Hospital; and he is one of the co-founders of the UT Residency Program in McAllen.  The Barrera and Guerra families, related through marriage, established the large La Reforma Ranch in Starr County in 1898.  For more info. about the Tejano Monument Inc. please go to www.tejanos.com            

            Finally, Jan DeVault, President of the Friends of the San Jacinto Battleground, will commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the creation of the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site and cover the key role played by the San Jacinto Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas in its creation and preservation. 

            The Symposium has been approved by the State Board for Educator Certification as Certified Profession Education (CPE) Provider #501087.

FOR RELEASE 8:00 a.m. CDT April 9, 2007

 

"Contending Factions Within the Texas Revolution"

The 2007 San Jacinto Symposium promises to be a contentious affair with speakers facing off on factions within the Texas Revolution. Dr. James E. Crisp, associate professor of history, North Carolina State University, returns for the fifth consecutive year as moderator. We are pleased to present these outstanding speakers:

The Texan/Indian relationship

DR. GARY CLAYTON ANDERSON, professor of history at the University of Oklahoma, whose current book, The Conquest of Texas: Ethnic Cleansing in the Promised Land, 1820-1875, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in History.

The role land speculation and slavery played in the Texas Revolution

DR. FRED L. MCGHEE, a maritime archaeologist and historical anthropologist whose area of expertise covers the maritime dimension of the African Diaspora.

Women who were unwitting participants in the Texas Revolution

DR. PAULA M. MARKS, professor of American studies, St. Edward’s University in Austin.

The Texas Rangers and the early Indian wars

STEPHEN L. MOORE has written four books on Texas history including Eighteen Minutes: The Battle of San Jacinto and the Texas Independence Campaign.

Now where was Vince’s Bridge?

C. DAVID POMEROY, JR. will discuss the current academic contention over the location of a bridge both Texan and Mexican armies crossed prior to engaging in battle.

The San Jacinto Symposium is organized by a volunteer committee of the Friends of the San Jacinto Battleground, a non-profit 501©(3) entity organized in 2002 to acquire and preserve land adjacent to the battleground. Today, the Friends group also solicits members and money to support on-going archaeological projects, environmental safety at the park, historical markers, battle re-enactors, scholarship on the Texas Revolution, Battleship TEXAS restoration and more.

You are invited to become a Friend of San Jacinto. Memberships begin at $30 per person, and donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

The Friends of the San Jacinto Battleground is approved by the

State Board for Educator Certification as Certified Professional Education (CPE) Provider #501087.

Six CPE hours will be issued at the end of the Symposium to teachers.

Battle of San Jacinto Committee: Chair David Brittain, Brenda Auld, Dan Bass, Trevia Wooster Beverly, James Davis, Jan DeVault, Barbara Eaves, Cliff Gillock, Joe and Eva Goulding, Jo Frances Greenlaw, Will Haddock, Jerry Hoover, Will Howard, Fred Kolflat, Carolyn Lightfoot, Walter Nass, David Pomeroy, David Singleton,

Robert Singleton, Lisa Startzman, Lisa Struthers, Loretta Williams.

Saturday, April 14, 2007, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Hilton Hotel and Conference Center,

University of Houston

$45 includes lunch and parking

REGISTRATION FORM

Please return by April 7, 2007 (after April 7, late registration $50.00 based on availability)

Name 1___________________________________________________________________________________________

(as it should appear on badge)

Name 2 __________________________________________________________________________________________

(as it should appear on badge)

Address __________________________________________________________________________________________

City ________________________________________________________ State _________________Zip ____________

Daytime phone ______________________________________________ Email ________________________________

__ Please check here if you are a teacher seeking CPE hours.

SYMPOSIUM TICKETS Number ___@ $45 = $________

Price includes lunch and free parking in the Hilton Garage.

Reservations will be held at the door. Pre-registration payment

MUST be received by April 7, 2007, to qualify for the $45 fee.

Late registration is $50, based on availability.

PATRONS’ TICKETS Number ___@ $100 =$________

Price includes Symposium registration and meals, and an

invitation to the Patrons’ Reception, 6 p.m., Friday, April 13, 2007.

You will be recognized in the program.

DONATION $_________

I cannot attend this year, but I would like to contribute.

FRIENDS’ INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS Number ___@ $30 = $_________

TOTAL $_________

__ Check enclosed.

__ Charge to my: __VISA __ MasterCard

Account #______________________________Exp. Date ________________

Signature: _____________________________ Date: ____________________

Please print name as it appears on card: _____________________________

 

Please make checks payable to Friends of the San Jacinto Battleground,

P.O.Box 940536, Houston, TX 77094-7536.

You may also fax the completed form with credit card information to us at (281) 558-5876.  For additional information, call (281) 496-1488, email sjba@usa.net,

or visit our website at www.friendsofsanjacinto.org

The following request was forwarded to me from Jose Luis JimenezDeputy District Director LULAC District VIII – Houston, TX.  Thank you Mr. Jimenez for distributing and expediting important information.

 

I am a faculty member in the College of Education at the University of Houston. I teach a course called Digital Storytelling in which my students use computers and other technology tools to create 3 to 10 minute stories that include photographs, narration, music, and video clips. These mini-documentaries cover a variety of topics and I work with both teachers and students so that they can learn to use digital storytelling in their classrooms. When the stories are completed, they can be played back on a computer, put on the web or copied to DVDs so they can be played on a regular TV set connected to a DVD player.

 This semester, my students and I are working with the Houston Public Television station (KUHT, Channel 8) to create a series of digital stories about people who were affected by World War II. This would include not only surviving veterans but also spouses, children, grandchildren and friends who have an interesting story to tell about the war. We are seeking people in the Houston area who are willing to share their stories about World War, will allow us to videotape them discussing their experience and if possible, letting us scan copies of any photographs or other materials that help illustrate the story.

 The stories that we create will be available to the public beginning next fall in conjunction with the broadcast of  a new documentary called “The War” created by Ken Burns, a popular documentary filmmaker who has produced programs on the Civil War, Baseball, Jazz and other topics related to American History. The 14-hour miniseries, “The War” will be shown on PBS stations across the country beginning in September and you can read more about the program online at:  http://www.pbs.org/aboutpbs/news/20061106_TheWar.html

 The stories that my students and I create will be placed on the KUHT web site and short segments from the stories will be shown on the television station in conjunction with the broadcast of the Ken Burns miniseries. We are also excited that when they’re completed, copies of the stories will be sent to the United States Library of Congress in Washington, DC as part of their Veterans History Project.

Please let me know if you would be interested in participating in this project and if so, I will contact you again to discuss plans for setting up the interview. 

Bernard R. Robin, Ph.D.   brobin@uh.edu
Associate Professor of Instructional Technology
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Room 343 – Farish Hall
University of Houston - College of Education
Houston, TX 77204-5027
Office Phone: 713-743-4952
FAX: 713-743-4990      URL: http://www.coe.uh.edu/~brobin

I also received an email from the very interesting Mr. Jim Fisher, Senior Producer of PBS and a fellow member of the Harris County Historical Commission who is producing this project and wrote, “ One will be the story of the USS Houston and its crew members that became POWs in the South Pacific, working on the Thai-Burma “Death” Railroad.   The other story is about Medal of Honor winners with local connections.  I think you know two of the names on the MOH list: Macario Garcia, of Sugar Land, and Lucian Adams from Port Arthur.” 

If you would be interested in participating in this very worthy preservation of oral history and archival documentation please call Dr. Bernard R. Robin at the above contact information.