Tejano tribute well deserved at capitol
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We were pleased to read and hear that recognition is coming for Hispanics' historical and cultural contributions to Texas. This recognition is coming in the form of a bronze statue that will be erected in front of the state capitol.
Gov. Rick Perry signed a bill Friday that allows the installment of the statue. We applaud the governor for his support of this important tribute.
"I'm up there on cloud nine," said Benny Martinez of Goliad, who is a member of the Tejano Monument committee. "We've been working on this for nine years."
Martinez emphasized that the monument represents the history of Texas during the past 500 years. "The history belongs to all of us, not just Hispanics," he said.
He pointed out that it was the vaqueros - the Hispanic cowboys - who brought the cattle, horses, culture and civilization to Texas.
He said many of the vaqueros died taking care of and defending the settlers.
Hispanics built the missions. Juan Abamillo, Juan A. Badillo, Carlos Espalier, Gregorio Esparza, Antonio Fuentes and Andrés Nava helped to defend the Alamo -- one of those missions -- during the battle for Texas Independence.
"More Mexican-Americans were awarded medals of honor for service in World War II than any other ethnic group," Martinez said.
But getting permission to place the statue in front of the capitol wasn't easy. A state environmental committee insisted that the statue be erected in back of the capitol (on its north side).
"We had to fight them to get it in front," Martinez said.
Now, after a hard-fought battle, House Bill 4114 allows the statue to be in front of the capitol (on the south side).
The bronze statue is about 30 to 40 feet wide and about 15 feet in height, and it may be the biggest monument on capitol grounds. The focus of the monument is a vaquero riding a mustang, a smaller wild horse that vaqueros broke and used in managing cattle.
Martinez said the statue, sculpted by Armando Hinojosa of Laredo, is already made and will be moved to the capitol as soon as possible. He said maybe he and a bunch of vaqueros might ride to Austin for the installation ceremony.
We share in the celebratory nature of this tribute to Hispanics and all others. And we congratulate all who made this possible.
This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate's editorial board.
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It is too bad; we may never know.
June 8, 2009 at 6:20 p.m.N45BA-- if we knew what he was talking about, we might just agree it needs a monument. Ya think?
June 8, 2009 at 6:16 p.m.I had located a couple of commas, but couldn't see any periods or other puctuation!
He writes like I talk--just run it all out there and see what happens!
June 8, 2009 at 6:13 p.m.HDGdeVictoria--
Huh?
June 8, 2009 at 6 p.m.Tejano's are Native American of the Southern United State's who America couldn't afford to move to a rez,Who were in Texas prior the European Texian's, Who integrated their culture into so called American culture forgot how to even speak spanish or thier native tongue , Tejano's "Native American"haven't yet ask for reservation lands, haven't yet ask for an investigation on stolen land grants, Haven't yet ask to be recognized in every war the United States has ever been in, They haven't even asked for a freaking casino, yet some will ***** about a freaking statue?
June 8, 2009 at 5:10 p.m.N45BA-
Thanks for answering my question. While I get your point about everyone ending up with a monument, I think the reality is, very few monuments are actually being erected these days. How long did it take for the Vietnam Veterans’ wall to be erected? Even the article said that it was years in the making. So, I don’t think we are fixin’ to be overloaded with a flood of monuments, deserved or otherwise.
Now, why do you have a problem with the vaqueros? They are a part of Texas’ history. They rode with the Rangers. They worked the cattle that helped the ranches prosper and grow. But you are indeed correct-they were not the only ones. They taught the gringos how to be cowboys.
According to the Institute of Texan Cultures, there are 27 cultural groups who deserve credit for making Texas what she is. Yes, six flags have flown over Texas, but 27 cultural groups came here from various places to settle on the coast and the plains and the hill country and the dry west, bringing a variety of cultural influences to Texas. Afro-Americans, Belgians, Chinese, Czechs, Danes, Dutch, English, Filipinos, French, Germans, Greeks, Irish, Italians, Japanese, Jewish, Lebanese, Mexicans, Native Americans, Norwegians, Polish, Scots, Spanish, Swedish, Swiss, Syrians, Wendish, and Yugoslavs. Each of these groups has made important contributions to life in Texas. Are they all deserving of recognition? Maybe, maybe not. But the monument to the Mexican vaquero is quite appropriate.
Just FYI-I’m Czech/Irish/Welsh, not Mexican or Spanish. I’m just a lover of all things Texas.
June 8, 2009 at 4:32 p.m.Well if you think the Texas legislators are that naïve, then you can apply that analogy to any bill that is passed. Again, this is not the first monument ,nor would it be the last…. No harm, no foul….IMO
June 8, 2009 at 3:43 p.m.Are the people that erect monuments going out of business? Will this be the last monument ever? No.
The statue was sculpted by Armando Hinojosa of Laredo, is already made and will be moved to the front of the capitol made possible by a House bill 4114…. What is the big deal? It’s not like we were running out of room.
June 8, 2009 at 2:46 p.m.SmarteePantz has the right idea... more festivals! Sounds like a winner to me. Call it pivo or cerveza or bier, I'll just call it "good times".
June 8, 2009 at 2:34 p.m.Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon
June 8, 2009 at 2:17 p.m.isn't the Statue of Liberty the monument for immigrants? any immigrant!
June 8, 2009 at 2:08 p.m.N45BA
June 8, 2009 at 2:07 p.m.remember it doesn't matter what your opinion is the monument will be in Austin for Tejano=Texan history! Tejano is the history of Texas and I'm not talking about music!
You posted the ways in which you disagree, please share what your idea of 'monument worthy' is. Give some examples of monuments that are appropriate. I might be persuaded to come over to your way of thinking.
June 8, 2009 at 12:37 p.m.N45BA--
I'm not sure that the purpose of a monumnet is to increase awareness of a topic. I think a monument's purpose, if you will, is to recognize what was. A cue to remember.
To me, a fesitval is more of an awareness tool. Festivals are typically a happy event where folks celebrate all that is good about a topic--the food, the customs, the music. It is something that looks backward to look forward.
A monument is a tribute to something in the past. Cemeteries are full of monuments. Town squares are full of monuments. Our nation's capitol is full of monuments. They are all there to honor men, women, people, places, and events. Their significance comes from one's connection to that person, place or thing. Monuments look back.
June 8, 2009 at 9:49 a.m.I was born in Goliad, raised in Fannin. My Father and many of his contemporaries were vaqueros on the ranches of that area. The monument celebrates their contribution to the rich Tejano culture of our state. My heartfelt thanks to all who worked so diligently to make it a reality.
June 7, 2009 at 11:59 a.m.I guess if you don't know that hispanic culture exists in Texas then you must be blind! If you don't understand well it doesn't matter!
June 7, 2009 at 8:22 a.m.Hispanic culture is the history of Texas!
N45BA, if you don't understand the significance of it today, you never will!
June 7, 2009 at 12:34 a.m.