Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce names Morris Libson, Jr. as 2015 Citizen of the Year at 89th Annual Banquet

By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2016

International business executive and community volunteer extraordinaire Morris Libson, Jr. was named the 2015 Eagle Pass Citizen of the Year by the Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce at its 89th Annual Banquet held on Friday, February 5, 2016, in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Other nominees for the Citizen of the Year Award included Sandra Ruiz-Rodriguez, Mayra Ramos, Juan Manuel Farias, Raymond De La Garza, and Vale Moreno, Jr.

Libson was recognized for his unselfish support of youth baseball in the community through the Babe Ruth Baseball League, his induction into the Babe Ruth Baseball International Hall of Fame, induction into the South Texas Babe Ruth Baseball Hall of Fame, and his radio broadcast of local high school football and baseball games.

An emotional Morris Libson, Jr. thanked the person who recommended him for the award and the Chamber for bestowing him the Citizen of the Year Award.

Chamber President William W. Davis presented his annual State of the Chamber report to the audience, highlighting the many community activities and events sponsored by the Chamber and its members.

The Chamber also recognized retiring Board of Directors Humberto “Beto” Garza, Ruben Herrera, Roberto Mireles, and Mark Garcia and presented them with a Plaque of Appreciation for their dedicated service to the Chamber of Commerce.

Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu swore-in the new 2016 Chamber Board of Directors, including President William W. Davis, First Vice-President Claudia Rodriguez-Wright, Second Vice-President Mike Garcia, Secretary-Treasurer Diana Salinas, Jorge Barrera, Rodolfo Barrera, Andres Beattie, Ruben Carrillo, Jr., Juan Espinoza, Martha Garcia, Larry Martin, Alma Mendoza, and Kendall Scott.

Guests were entertained by keynote speaker Bob Lewis who is professionally known as “Tumbleweed Smith,” a nationally recognized oral historian, author, and journalist whose radio show known as “The Sound of Texas” has won many state and national awards.

Master of Ceremony for the 89th Annual Banquet was Chamber Second Vice-President Mike Garcia.

Guests were awarded gifts and prizes through a random ticket method.