Abrazo de la Amistad Ceremony officially opens 2013 International Friendship Festival
By: Ricardo E. Calderon
An Exclusive Eagle Pass Business Journal News Story/Copyright 2013
The twin sister cities of Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico renewed and celebrated their historic social, cultural, and economic relationship since 1849 on Friday, March 22, 2013 with the Abrazo de la Amistad (Friendship Hug) Ceremony among public officials and civic leaders at the City of Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 1. The historic and traditional Abrazo de la Amistad ceremony between Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras has been held at the U.S.-Mexico boundary line of Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 1 for 51 years since 1962 sponsored by the International Good Neighbor Councils of both cities, commemorating the close and interdependent ties between Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras and officially opening the annual International Friendship Festival between the sister cities.
The City of Eagle Pass delegation was led by Mayor Ramsey English Cantu, Maverick County Judge David Saucedo, Texas State Representative Poncho Nevarez, Congressman Pete P. Gallego’s field representative, Matthew Davis Hall, International Good Neighbor Council-International President Juan Samuel Cadena Saenz, U.S. Vice-Consul Roberto Rodriguez, and 2013 Mr. Amigo Bruce Ballou, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer of the 293rd Judicial District. Also participating were Eagle Pass Mayor Pro-Tem Asalia Casares, City Councilman Rudy Villalpando, Maverick County Commissioners Daniela Aleman and Roberto Ruiz, Maverick County Hospital District Board of Directors Joaquin L. Rodriguez and Ricardo E. Calderon, and many other public and civic leaders.
The City of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico delegation was led by Mayor Oscar Lopez Elizondo and wife, Macarena Retes de Lopez, Congresswoman Irma Elizondo Ramirez, State of Coahuila Economic Development Secretary Jose Antonio Gutierrez Jardon, Mexican Consul in Eagle Pass Ricardo Santana Velasquez, International Good Neighbor Council President Dr. Monica Agana Solis, and 2013 Mr. Amigo Francisco Juaristi Septien, Publisher of the Zocalo newspaper in Piedras Negras, Coahuila.
Speaking at the traditional Abrazo de la Amistad ceremony were Piedras Negras, Coahuila Mayor Oscar Lopez Elizondo who stated that Piedras Negras and Eagle Pass’ cultural and economic ties will prosper with the new oil and gas drilling to commence in northern Coahuila in 2013; Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu stated that Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras’ relationship will continue into the future with respect and dignity and through mutual economic development; Coahuila Economic Development Secretary Jose Antonio Gutierrez Jardon stated that Coahuila and Texas’ ties will blossom through mutual respect and collaboration and with the development of new oil and gas reserves in the State of Coahuila; Texas State Representative Poncho Nevarez stated that Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras’ relationship will continue to grow through mutual cooperation and development of cultural and economic programs between the two cities and states; Congressman Pete P. Gallego representative Matthew Davis Hall congratulated Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras for their mutual friendship and close ties; Dr. Monica Agana Solis stated the International Good Neighbor Council of Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras will continue working in promoting the friendship between the sister cities; Mexican Consul in Eagle Pass Ricardo Santana Velasquez stated that the friendship between Piedras Negras and Eagle Pass comes from the heart and respect of its people; American Vice-Consul Roberto Rodriguez stated Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras’ friendship is symbolic of the goodwill and friendship between the United States and Mexico; International Good Neighbor Council-International President Juan Samuel Cadena Saenz stated Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras have enjoyed friendship through mutual respect and dignity for each other; Mr. Amigo 2013 Francisco Juaristi Septien stated he was honored and humbled by the recognition as Mr. Amigo on behalf of Piedras Negras; and Mr. Amigo 2013 Bruce Ballou stated he was honored to participate in this ceremony and being named Mr. Amigo on behalf of Eagle Pass.
Following the speeches, Mayors Ramsey English Cantu and Oscar Lopez Elizondo led the public in the traditional Abrazo de la Amistad between both cities and countries. Participants attended a reception in Piedras Negras, Coahuila following the Abrazo de la Amistad ceremony sponsored by the International Good Neighbor Council of Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras.
Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras will celebrate International Friendship Festival during March 22-31, 2013 with various activities.
