Tejano Association for Historical Preservation

Lorenzo de Zavala Chapter

December Issue 2005

http://www.tejanoahp.org

Post Office Box 231021     Houston , Texas 77223-1021

 

The Tejano Association for Historical Preservation will be holding a meeting and election of new officers on January 21, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at the Latino Learning Center  3522 Polk, Houston, Texas. 77003.  Nominations for Officers have been selected and the slate is President, Loretta Martinez Williams, 1st Vice President, Richard Perez, 2nd Vice President Margarito “Gunny” Vasquez, Treasurer\Special Projects Linda Saenz, Advisors Dr. Emilio Sarabia, Joel Lara, Joe Granados and Benny C. Martinez.  If you would like your name added to the slate of officers nominations will be taken from the floor.  Please join us as we will also be discussing the 7th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Parade which will be held April 8, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. beginning at Cesar Chavez Blvd. and Capitol in Houston’s East End.

The Joe E. Moreno Elementary HISD School on 620 E. Canino was officially dedicated on November 4, 2005.  Elected officials who attended the event were Honorable Senator Mario Gallegos, Honorable State Representatives Jessica Farrar, Jim Dunnam, Rick Noriega and Tommy Merritt.  Also in attendance were various elected officials, Judge Richard Vara, Judge Armando Rodriguez, Honorable Commissioner Sylvia Garcia Precinct 2, HISD School Board Member Manuel Rodriguez, and Ex City Councilman Felix Fraga and Dr. Abelardo Saavedra, Superintendent of Schools of HISD.  Numerous members of the Moreno Family were also in attendance and the children of the Joe E. Moreno Elementary school performed a fitting musical tribute.  Students from each grade made a special presentation to the Moreno Family of various items, symbolic of the contributions of the Late State Representative.  One special gift consisted of seeds and the children invited the family back to the school to help them plant them in a special garden.  Phillipa Young of Community Education Partners also presented the family with a special oak tree.  Tejano Association for Historical Preservation President Linda Alonzo Saenz presented the family and school with a portrait by the artist Luis Fernando Garza to which the standing room audience gave a standing applause.  Mariachis also performed a song, “El Rey,” that was a favorite of the late Representative and a reception followed.  It was a fitting tribute and memorable day honoring the life of the late State Representative Joe E. Moreno who has gone on but will not be forgotten.

MECA held their annual Day of the Dead Festival, “Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Future,” which began Oct. 29, 2005 and was also held on Sunday Oct. 30.  MECA is located at 1900 Kane, Houston , Texas 77007 , phone # 713-802-9370.  A cultural cornu copiae of music, entertainment and food was available for two days.  Various groups such as the Houston Balalaika Society, Kuumba House Dance Theatre, Mariachi MECA, joined by their Ballet Folklorico Department, Sirrom School of Dance, Del Espadin Baile Espanol & Gabriella La Tempestad, Sargram School of Classical Vocal and Instrumental Music, Ambassadors International, Cleola Williams and Wilford Davis performed on two stages, indoor and outdoor.  A surprise visit was also paid by Pancho Claus,

 

There were 25 altars on exhibit throughout the building displaying photos, images of loved ones, their favorite foods and mementoes.  This exhibit was available for viewing for the month of November.  1st place went to Sotero Rubio by the Contreras Family, 2nd place was awarded to Monjas Dominicas del Convento de Santa Rosa (Creadores del Mole Poblano) by Casa Puebla and 3rd place to Constable Raul C. Martinez by the Tejano Association for Historical Preservation constructed by Loretta Martinez Williams.

 

Of special interest to LULAC members were:  # 4 Those in our lives who have passed on constructed by Bellaire High School, HISD LULAC Youth Group.  # 17 Constable Raul C. Martinez - Tejano Association for Historical Preservation (constructed by Loretta Martinez Williams, also a member of LULAC Council # 60) and # 24 Lucy Cantu Medel Museo Guadalupe Aztlan (constructed by Jesus Medel, also a member of LULAC Council # 60)  

 

If you are interested in participating in this event next year, please contact Clarissa L Valdez, Media & Public Relations Coordinator; Outreach/Volunteer Manager

at cernosek@ev1.net or 713- 802-9370.

The following info. is a profile of the Ex. Director of MECA Alice Elizabeth Valdez and obtained from http://www.meca-houston.org/Alice/index.html

Alice Elizabeth Valdez was born in El Paso , Texas on June 2, 1947, to Bertha and Jose Vargas.  One of five children, Alice learned at a young age about independent and creative thinking, as well as the importance of individualism.  Bertha and Jose Vargas, who were very active in their neighborhood Catholic Church, encouraged their children to dedicate their time to their church and community.   Alice enjoyed music as a child, and began singing music liturgy and studying the clarinet.  Her parents' efforts in combating socioeconomic inequality in Juarez , Mexico , through organized food drives and community-based economic assistance programs, led Alice to an understanding of the effects of poverty on the human spirit, and formed her resolve to continue their efforts in her own life.

Upon entering Austin High School , Alice decided to continue her music studies, switching from clarinet to oboe.  She began studying with Richard Henderson, an oboist with the El Paso symphony, and, through his mentorship, refined her talents as a performer, and was the first chair oboist throughout high school.  She decided to major in music at the college level, and, when the time came, was offered music scholarships at Webster College in St. Louis , New Mexico State University, as well as the University of Texas at El Paso .  She accepted a full scholarship at UT El Paso, and went on to perform with the El Paso ballet, opera and symphony, in addition to her studies with UT El Paso's orchestra and band programs.  While this rigorous training and discipline served as a training ground for future community work, it led to an appreciation and understanding of the importance of the role of aesthetics in daily life which she resolved to incorporate somehow into her future.

Meanwhile, Alice had been continuing her work with economically disadvantaged minorities in the El Paso area, and through an informal study she conducted as a student at UT El Paso revealed the extent of the socioeconomic inequality.   Alice made a personal commitment to reach, through music education, youth and adults in poverty level communities.  While at UTEP she was a member of Tau Bet Sigma sorority and Sigma Alpha Iota music honors fraternity.  After graduating from college, Alice moved to Atlanta with her husband Roberto G. Valdez, and began teaching minority youth in the DeKalb School District .  Roberto and Alice moved to Houston in 1971, and Alice began her studies towards a Masters Degree in Musicology from the University of Houston .  In addition to being pregnant with her first daughter, Clarissa, she began teaching religion and music courses at Annunciation Catholic School .

Living in Bellaire through this period, Alice felt isolated from the Hispanic community and culture, and with her family began attending Saint Joseph Catholic Church, located in Houston 's Old Sixth Ward. Shortly, after, Alice and Roberto became responsible for the religious education program at Saint Joseph and Alice became the Director of Music Liturgy. Alice worked for Gulf Coast Community Services as a youth counselor.  She and Roberto were asked to develop an alternative education arts program by Sam Rosales, S.J., who was pastor of Saint Joseph at the time.  Alice and Roberto were the founders and first directors of the Saint Joseph Multi Ethnic Festival Committee, and through the recommendation of the Cultural Arts Council of Houston, incorporated the festival with her newly minted Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts.  MECA, which has grown from serving 300 students to almost 3,000 annually, provides through private and public funding, experience in the performing and visual arts to low income, at risk youth in Houston 's near downtown neighborhoods.  MECA was designated the 382nd Point of Light by President George Herbert Walker Bush, and through Alice's direction, a major inner city art park was constructed by local youth in the Old Sixth Ward.  This park, which won the American Institute of Architects award for Public Art, is home to artwork by several winning artists, and whose mural, A United Community, is a well-known landmark in the Old Sixth Ward.

Alice was awarded a place in the Hispanic Women's Hall of Fame in 1989 and that same year won the Fiestas Patrias Distinguished Hispanic award.  She was also the recipient of the Jefferson Award for community service, and was honored by such diverse groups as LULAC, and the Alley Theater, and has spoken at the commencement of the Chinquapin school.  She is revered by her community as an advocate for social and cultural reform, and by her family as a devoted wife and mother.

In 1999 Alice Valdez was honored to be included in the Mayor's Millennium Makers, Vol. I.  The Mayor's Millennium Makers Series contains Evin Thayer photographs of native and adopted Houstonians who have contributed to Houston 's growth and development from a small settlement on the bayou into an international city.  The proceeds from the publication of the book will fund the Evin Thayer Scholarship Fund of the Greater Houston Community Foundation; making it possible for talented young people to continue their study of the arts.

In December 2000, the YWCA of Houston named Alice E. Valdez an Outstanding Woman of Achievement in the Arts as part of their 22nd Annual Outstanding Women's Luncheon.  In the summer of 2001, Mrs. Valdez joined the board of directors of NALAC (National Association of Latino Arts and Culture).  Just recently, the Hispanic school administrators awarded Alice with the Estrella award in recognition of her longstanding commitment to education for all.

 

Tejano Association for Historical Preservation salutes the efforts of MECA and Alice E. Valdez, Executive Director, a woman with a vision of enriching our youth through the arts and preserving our culture through future generations.

 

On December 12, 2005, MECA celebrated the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe with Fiesta Guadalupana. It is believed that in 1531, on the hill of Tepeyac, a man named Juan Diego was surprised by the appearance of a beautiful dark-skinned woman who, calling the Indian “my son,” declared herself to be the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. Using Juan Diego as her messenger, she asked for the bishop to build her a church on the hill of Tepeyac. On December 12, the Virgin Mary presented Juan Diego with the proof that was ordered from the bishop, an image of the Virgin Mary on his cloak. Millions throughout the nation gather on this day to honor “La Reina de Mexico.” More than just a religious symbol, the Virgin Mary has become a cultural icon millions around the world pay homage to, becoming a part of the everyday lives of many.

MECA continues to observe this Latin America celebration with performances by Mariachi MECA as people gathered outdoors at the Virgin statue (created by Paul Kittelson).  A procession followed into the auditorium where liturgical music and dance performed by MECA faculty and students.  Performances included "ceremonial dances from the genre of concheros carrying ancient beliefs of the people of Mexico .  Many of nature's elements - wind, fire, and rain - are venerated in ritualistic dance.  Adorned in trimmings of gold and flowing feathers, amid the burning incense, dancers use conch shells to call to an era long passed.”  “Los matachines denotes a traditional religious dance and the dancers, musicians, and elders who participate in it.  Most modern versions rely heavily on representations of the Virgin Mary and the Holy Cross.” 

Music and dance honoring La Virgen de Guadalupe transcends all age and cultural barriers. The devotional songs and music celebrate culture, tradition, heritage, and history.  A Virgin of Guadalupe Art display is currently on exhibit at Meca celebrating the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

 

You are cordially invited to attend the Dec. 16, 2005 MECA Winter Multicultural Recital at 7:30 p.m. at MECA's Dow School Campus located in Houston's Old Sixth Ward 1900 Kane Houston, TX 77007.  Admission fee is $1.00 For Children and $2.00 For Adults.

For more info. visit MECA’s website to read about their ongoing classes, numerous cultural and visual art exhibits celebrating our heritage, music, dance and arts.
www.meca-houston.org
or contact
Clarissa L. Valdez of MECA at 713-802-9370 or by email: cernosek@ev1.net

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TRINIDAD , A TEJANA PIONEER

Submitted by Estella Martinez Zermeno granddaughter of Paula Lozano Martinez

wzermeno@txcr.net

 

Trinidad de la Garza Lozano was born in 1838 at Rancho Alamito in Refugio Country to Gertrudis Becerra and Francisco de la Garza.  She was the first grandchild of Juana Cadena and Don Manuel Becerra, a prominent figure in La Bahia Goliad and Refugio area.  He was also the founder of the 9000 acre Alamito Ranch located on Copano Bay by Copano Creek.  These were hard and critical times in Texas but Trinidad was a happy little girl, and she was the pride and joy of her grandfather Don Manuel Becerra.  At an early age he taught her to ride horses and how to read and write.  By age twelve death claimed Trinidad 's mother and her beloved grandfather, she was broken hearted and took over the care of her siblings, Genoveva, Rosalia, and the infant Antonio de la Garza.

 

Her father Francisco de la Garza remarried in the early 1850's but Trinidad felt responsible for the care of the house and her siblings and suddenly grew into a young lady.  She enjoyed helping her father with the farm work and taking care of the horses and other animals.  She could hitch a wagon or buggy at an early age.  She would take her siblings to visit their cousins and they participated in social events. She attended church socials such as holidays, weddings, and baptisms, etc.  Very often she was asked to be a madrina, a sponsor at a baptism or a witness at a wedding.  In January of 1865, Trinidad and Dennis O'Connor were sponsors at the baptism of Jose Maria Lupito Hermendez, born Sept 1864 son of Guadalupe and Felipa Hernandez.  This baptism took place at Don Carlos Rancho's Chapel.  This would indicate that they were all friends.  Eventually the O'Connor family ended up with most if not all of Don Manuel Becerra's land.  The famous Ranchero Don Carlos de la Garza was a cousin of Francisco de la Garza, her father.

 

The Becerra, de la Garza family had many friends including Miguel Lozano and Facunda Cabazos from Papalote Rancho who were the parents of Juan Elias, Miguel Jr., Salvador, and Crisoforo .  In the early part of the civil war in the 1860's all four brothers joined the Refugio County Home Guards Units.  Crisoforo reached the rank of Second Lieutenant.  They later disbanded and many joined the Confederate Army, including Juan Elias Lozano, who served until 1864.  Sometime after he again met the beautiful Trinidad at a diez y seis de Septiembre (Sept.16) celebration, a courtship developed and soon they fell in love.  Three years later on June 5, 1867 Juan Elias Lozano and Trinidad de la Garza were married at the Presidio Our Lady of Loreto Chapel at La Bahia-Goliad.  They built a small cabin at Alamito Ranch and settled down to a happy life.  By now two of her siblings were married, and she was ready to enjoy her life.  She helped her husband farm and they raised cattle, sheep, hogs, a few mules but their main source of income came from horses which they raised and sold.  Juan Elias designed their branding iron and registered it at the Refugio County courthouse on April 13, 1869.  Life was good and Juan Elias along with his Castillo cousins would go to Mexico to buy jewelry and other goods for their wives and families.

 

Early in 1870 Trinidad 's younger sister, Genoveva de la Garza married Miguel Lozano the brother of Juan Elias.  The following year a daughter Paula was born to Genoveva and Miguel.  Sad times fell upon the de la Garza-Lozano family as Genoveva died shortly after Paula was born. The grieving Trinidad and Juan Elias who were childless took in the infant girl Paula.  Paula became their beloved and only child.  Time went on and the child Paula brought happiness back into their home.

 

By the mid 1870's Anglos begin to harass the families at Alamito Ranch.  Her brother Antonio de la Garza and his wife Ponposa Bontan were being harassed and threatened, his animals slaughtered and his barns burned by Anglos who coveted their lands.  Ponposa's brother was murdered in Refugio and Anglos came to the ranch and told them that the same fate would happen to Antonio if he stayed at the ranch.  The worried Ponposa with two small children convinced her husband to flee to La Bahia for the safety of their lives.

 

The harassments continued but the Confederate war veteran Juan Elias Lozano, being
older then his brother in law Antonio de la Garza, would not be intimidated into abandoning his land.  One fateful day, two years later in August of 1877, Juan Elias told Trinidad that he would be going into the town of Refugio , to collect some money owned to him and to meet with some men who wanted to talk to him about land.  Juan Elias bid goodbye to Trinidad and their child Paula not knowing it would be for the last time. Some hours later his mare returned home, without him, the alarmed Trinidad mounted the mare and went in search of him, she found him critically wounded under a tree.  She managed to help him get on the mare and took him home, and then she sent a nephew to Refugio to fetch a doctor.  Juan Elias Lozano lived a few days but never regained full consciousness or spoke.

 

Trinidad was devastated and broken hearted as was the six year old Paula.  Even though the Becerra cemetery was located just one hundred yards from their cabin, Trinidad chose to bring his body to La Bahia where her brother lived and where she had married her beloved Juan Elias.  After the funeral mass at the Presidio chapel he was buried at the La Bahia cemetery.  Perhaps she knew that sooner or later she too would be coming to La Bahia.  She returned to her ranch to carry on and two young nephews came to live with her. She never found out who was responsible for Juan Elias Lozano’s murder, there were many rumors, even that Buffalo soldiers had killed him but she knew that was not true.

 

Trinidad managed to hold on to her land for another five or six years.  In an inventory of her property that was done for tax purposes in 1880 the estate was valued at $975.00.  By now her ranch had been reduced to 200 acres.  Trinidad had two young nephews, Francisco Lambaria and Trinidad Lambaria, the sons of Rosalia de la Garza and Elogio Lambaria who were living with her and the child Paula to help with the chores.  Their parents, Rosalia de la Garza and Elogio Lambaria had since passed away.  The harassment continued, and an Anglo man whom Paula in a written statement of many years later would identify as Hak Gaines would come on horseback to the ranch to tell Trinidad to get out of the ranch, that it no longer belonged to her.  The land grabbers used many scare tactics, such as crying and moaning sounds coming from the cemetery and galloping around the house on horseback with burning torches.  On these nights the brave but worried Trinidad would sit by the front door of the cabin with the musket that her husband had used during the Civil War across her lap.  By now her horses, which she continued to raise, sheep, and other animals were being slaughtered.  Paula had her own milk cow and early one morning Trinidad found the cow with her throat slashed, she hurried to wake up the nephews so that they could remove the cow before the child Paula would wake up as she would be broken hearted.

 

The time came when the widow Trinidad was no longer able to cope with the harassment and decided to leave the ranch.  She sold some stock, salvaged what she could and with the help of her brother and brothers in law moved to La Bahia.  She bought 185 acres west of the Presidio in La Bahia and stayed at her brother's while a small cabin was built for her and Paula.  Soon, she deeded 50 acres to Antonio de la Garza who soon built a small cabin, perhaps to spend some time there and look after his sister.

 

She continued to raise to horses for a living, a few sheep, some hogs, a milk cow, and did some farming.  She kept her buggy that she brought from her ranch and on Sundays and other special days she and Paula would go to La Bahia or other ranches and visit and enjoy the day.  The loss of her land was often discussed in the presence of adults yet the children often eavesdropped to hear the history of the past.  Antonio de la Garza, her brother lamented the loss of the land until his last day.

 

During the Christmas season, the cabin of Antonio and his wife Ponposa in La Bahia would have many buggies and wagons on their land from the many cousins including Trinidad and Paula who would come and spend a few days with them.  The men would butcher hogs and the women would make coffee, hot chocolate, tamales, cakes, buńuelos, and other delicacies.  They spent most of their time cooking delicious meals.  All would attend midnight mass at the Presidio Our Lady of Loreto chapel which is a short distance from the house.  They visited and had a good time together.

 

Paula Lozano grew up and in December of 1890 she married Apolonio Martinez who

had come to Goliad from Rio Grande City fifteen years before.  Trinidad was happy to see her daughter married, as her own health was beginning to fail.  Soon Paula blessed her with grandchildren, which made Trinidad very happy.

 

Sadly on February 23, 1894, Trinidad called her brother Antonio and two witnesses, Juan Rubio Jr. (Antonio's son in law) and W.J. Lott to her bedside to witness her last will and testament.  She named Antonio as her executor.  Trinidad passed away March 11, 1894 at the age of 56.  Her funeral mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Loreto Chapel at the Presidio and she was buried next to her beloved Juan Elias at the La Bahia Cemetery.  Once again she would be reunited with her beloved husband.  For Paula and the many people saying goodbye to the beautiful, strong willed, caring, and hardworking Trinidad , this was a very sad day.

 

Her will was probated August 11, 1894 in the brand new Goliad County Court house, which still is in existence to this day.  Of her small ranch of 134 acres she bequeathed her nephews Anselmo Patino 20 acres and Ignacio Patino 10 acres.  Jose Garza was given 10 acres and Tulis Lozano 10 acres.  The balance of her acreage and her personal property she bequeathed to her daughter Paula Lozano.  The value of her property at this time was $1076.00.  Even up to her death Trinidad was still raising horses and at the time of her death she had 23 horses.  Her daughter Paula mourned her beloved Aunt and adopted Mother for a long long time.  She always remembered her.

 

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On November 11, 2005 Veterans Day, a dedication was held of the unveiling of the bronze plaques containing the history of the formation of Houston Veterans Memorial Park on 1800 Tidwell, Houston , Texas .  The event was coordinated by the President of the Houston Veterans Memorial Park Foundation Richard Perez.  Dignitaries and elected officials present for the dedication were Honorable Congressman Gene Green, Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Alicia Moreno, (parents of the late State Rep. Joe E. Moreno).  Honorable Adrian Garcia, City Councilman District H, was one of the speakers.  Honored guests were Domingo Trevino, Ernest Eguia, and Jesse Campos, all WWII veterans.  Frank de Leon Montemayor, a schoolmate of Richard Perez was killed in Vietnam in May of 1967.  His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Santiago Montemayor and other family members were also present.  Mr. Perez made a promise to the Montemayor family over thirty years ago that he would do something to honor their son.  This park is a testament to the sacrifice that he made and the ultimate sacrifice all veterans have made for our country.   The poet Lynn Juarez whose poem, “Our Heroes,” is emblazoned in the plaque in bronze was also in attendance.  Margarito Cano Vasquez, Commander of the Disabled American Veterans San Jacinto Chapter 1, Domingo Marquez, American GI Forum Lucian Adams Chapter, John Martinez of the Veterans in Postal Service, Jesse Saldana of the VFW Post #8930, Mr. Milton White and S.L. Chaver both of the Disabled American Veterans San Jacinto Chapter 1 were also present and participated in the ceremony.  The event was very moving and memorable.  Tejano Association for Historical Preservation salutes all our veterans.

            Mr. Tom Green, President Elect of the Sons of the American Revolution, Texas Society, Hill Country District Representative of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, member of the Texas Army and Texas Navy has diligently coordinated the ceremony of the Battle of Medina with The Texas Society Sons of the American Revolution William Hightower Chapter 35 each August in Atascosa County on Old Applewhite Road.  This year it was held on August 20, 2005 in the outskirts of San Antonio west of the community of Espey.  A few of those in attendance at the 192nd anniversary ceremony were Robert Benavides, Past President of the Sons of the Republic of Texas Travis Chapter , and Chairman of the Board of the San Antonio Living History Association. Rudy “Tejano Pena” of Corpus Christi and Dan Arrellano the author of “Tejano Roots, A Family Legend,” were also present  

            Mr. Green also spearheaded the efforts for the compilation of the history and the application process for the Texas state historical subject marker commemorating the Battle of Medina.  This Texas state historical subject marker was unveiled on August 18, 2005.  There were over 125 guests in attendance.  The Tejano Association for Historical Preservation thanks him for his hard work, dedication to history and its preservation.  The following is the text of the

 

Texas State Historical Subject Marker of the Battle of Medina .”

 

            Texas ’ bloodiest military engagement – the Battle of Medina may have taken place in the vicinity in 1813.  The early 19th century was a time of political upheaval and in 1812 while the U.S. was at war with England , Spain faced revolts throughout Latin American, including Mexico .  In this revolutionary climate, Americans and others began efforts to influence the fate of Mexico , of which Texas was a province.

            Bernardo-Gutierrez and Lt. A. W. Magee marched from Louisiana to Texas in 1812 with their Republican Army of the North.  Capturing Nacogdoches and Trinidad, they moved on to Presidio La Bahia, where they survived a four month siege by Spanish Governors and their Royalist Forces; The Royalists retreated toward San Antonio in February 1813; and in March the Republic Army followed them and was ambushed in the Battle of Rosillo.  The Republicans persevered, captured San Antonio and executed the Spanish Governors; Gutierrez’s New Republic of Texas with its Green Flag was marked by internal problems.

            Spain sent troops under Gen. Joaquin De Arredondo to retake Texas .  Among his men was Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, later Mexico ’s leader during the Texas Revolution.  The Republicans marched from San Antonio on Aug. 15, 1813 with about 1,400 troops, American volunteers, Tejanos, Mexicans and Native Americans, led across the plains south of the Medina River .  The fatigued army faced Spanish troops on Aug. 18 and was soundly defeated, fewer than 100 escaped, most were executed.  The Spanish left the decimated Texans on the battlefield and proceeded to San Antonio to punish citizens who supported independence.  Eight years later, Mexico leaders ordered the remains of the fallen soldiers to be buried under an oak tree on the battlefield.  Although the exact site of the battle has yet to be determined, the story remains an important part of history.

Thank you to Mr. Tom Green for preserving our TX history and sending in the photo of the dedication of the Texas State Historical Subject Marker for the Battle of Medina .

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Thank you to members Alfred Flores Jr., Rafael Enriquez, Alfonso and Ruth Matta, Linda Peterson, R.K. & S. A. Roberts, Lola Slater Sanchez, Mr. and Mrs. James Travlos, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Granados, Ms. Bea Svambera, Daniel Gonzalez, Jan DeVault, Mr. and Mrs. Joel Lara for renewing their membership.  A special thank you is extended to Harris County Commissioner Precinct 2 Sylvia Garcia for purchasing an advertisement in the upcoming Cesar E. Chavez Parade Brochure.  The dues of $25.00 and donations make the projects a reality of the Tejano Association for Historical Preservation.  Please contact Linda Alonzo Saenz at 713-540-5449 if you would like to purchase an ad for the Cesar E. Chavez parade brochure.

For input regarding the Tejano Association for Historical Preservation newsletters contact Loretta Martinez Williams by email at latejana@houston.rr.com

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

Benny C. Martinez, Advisory Board Member