Tribute on the 5th Anniversary of Mexican Heritage Plaza
TRIBUTE ON THE 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF MEXICAN HERITAGE PLAZA -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 09, 2004)
SPEECH OF HON. ZOE LOFGREN
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2004
Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge and commend the Mexican Heritage Plaza/Centro Cultural de San José on its 5th anniversary.
The Mexican Heritage Corporation opened its Mexican Heritage Plaza (MHP) in September 1999 to nurture pride and promote appreciation, interest and awareness of California's Latino cultural heritage.
The Mexican Heritage Plaza/Centro Cultural de San José is in the heart of San José's oldest and largest Mexican-American community. The Plaza's goals are to capture the spirit of the Mexican-American community, to complement neighboring schools by providing educational opportunities, to establish a "landmark" gathering place and to provide a center for learning about history and culture. The Mexican Cultural Heritage Gardens and Plaza have become a
destination for everyone who lives in or visits the Bay Area.
The complex includes a 500-seat state-of-the-art theater, classrooms, three distinct thematic gardens, a centralized plaza and and La Galeria, a 4,000-square foot exhibition space with two art galleries celebrating the Latino legacy. La Galeria is one of only ten affiliates of the Smithsonian Institution in California.
MHP has launched the annual San José International Mariachi Festival and Conference, a successful education and concern program. Every July, they teach hundreds of children and adults the music and dance that originated in western Mexico. The public is invited to Mariachi Concerts featuring world-renowned musicians, a splendid Mariachi Mass, a procession on Sunday and an outdoor Mariachi Festival at the Plaza.
I can tell you from first-hand experience that I am proud of the leadership, volunteers and network of supporters whose dedication has built the Mexican Heritage Plaza/Centro Cultural de San José into an integral part of the fabric of our local community.
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