The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 80, No. 3, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 7, 1989 Page: 1 of 8
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Don Jose
Specials,
Page 3
THE RIO GRANDE HERALD
Published weekly In Rio Grande City. Texas, every Thursday by The Rio^Grande Publishing Co.
H.E.B.
Inserts
Inside
USPS 466-200
Vol. 80, No. 55, Thursday, December 7,1989
25 Cents
*t>
Sen. Gramm, Kika Featured At
Port Inauguration Ceremonies
Congressman Kika De ha Garza discussed the positive
economic and law enforcement impact of the newly
modernized and expanded Roma port facilities at
Tuesday morning's ceremonies officially inaugurating
the facilities.
By KENNETH ROBERTS
Ai Tuesday morning's official
inauguration ceremonies for the
modernized and expanded Roma port
facilities, U.S. Congressman Kika
De La Garza and U.S. Sen. Phil
Gramm contended that the new
facilities should boost economic
development efforts in Starr
County, as well as increase security
against drug trafficking.
County Court-At Law Judge
Alex W. Gabert, who served as
master of ceremonies, led off the
ceremonies by saying, "Our area is
blessed with the presence of the
people that arc here. Here, you have
an example of how the federal
government works."
When County Judge J.M.
Martinez, Jr., spoke, he said,
"Some 40 years ago, where Starr
County acquired the International
Martin Gar/a Christmas
Parade Marshal
Martin P. Gat/.a of Rio Grande
City will be the Parade Marshal of
the 1989 Christmas Parade that will
be carried out this Saturday under
the auspices of the Rio Grande City
Chambei of Commerce.
The annual parade is scheduled to
begin this Saturday at 10 a.m. All
entries must be ready for lineup in
the parade by 9 a.m. in front of the
Starr County Courthouse. The
parade will kick off at 10 a.m.,
starting at the First National Bank
and eliding at the Fort Ringgold
grounds.
All clubs and organizations are
encouraged to participate in the
parade.
The entry Ice tor floats is $15,
and for cars the fee is $10. Floats
will be judged and the top three will
receive cash prizes ol SI00, S75,
and S50.
An entry form for the parade
appears in this edition of The Rio
Grande Herald.
Also as part of the local
Christmas festivities, the "Noche
Internacional" is scheduled for 7
p.m Friday night at the Border
Barn in Rio Grande City.
Martin P Garza initially came to
Rio Grande City in 1921. But he
came with the experience he had
learned at a foundry in Monterrey,
Mexico. While visiting his
brother-in-law at the ice and water
plant, he helped fix a steam engine.
The blocks who owned the water
and ice plant and electrical
distribution company were
Martin P, Garza
impressed with his ability and asked
him if he could lix a steam engine
which they were to abandon,
because it could not be lixed. Alter
he fixed it for them, the blocks
would not allow Martin to go back
to Mexico.
Eventually, Martin became a
lull time employee at the plant. He
formed part of the crew that
installed the expansion of the first
water line in Rio Grande City. (The
trenching was done by hand since
there was no equipment back then.)
In his spare time, Martin would
install electrical wiring and
plumbing in houses. He had much
to do in Rio.
In 1930 Martin married leodora
Carreraandin 1932, Martin opened OSKCtS^ and servcd
sell flowers and whatever she could
get her hands on to sell, out of the
same store.
In 1936, Martin became a dealer
of appliances and for many years
sold and serviced gas and electrical
appliances, battery-powered radios,
irons, stoves, washing machines
and refrigerators. (Electrovax
manufactured a line of refrigerators
that ran on kerosene).
Martin eventually had the
franchise for RCA Victor Radios,
Frigid aire. Easy Washing
Machines, Zenith TV and in 1953,
was set up to sell televisions before
Channel 4 went on the air.
He was selling many electrical
appliances but there were many
areas of Starr County that did not
have electricity, so he would sell
and instill 1 wind chargers. (Philco
Corporation gave him the exclusive
franchise on wind chargers). He
would install the wiring putting in
electrical lights and a radio all
connected to the wind chargers. The
house then had lights and electric
radios without electricity.
Martin and Teodora Garza
operated Rio Grande Department
Store together for many years until
her death in 1960. The store
continued doing business under him
and his sons' management until
1978. Eventually, Martin left the
appliance field and devoted his spare
time to his beloved ranch.
.in was elected to the school
from 1947 to
Rio Grande Elcctrical Plumbing
Company, a store for electrical and
plumbing supplies. Teodora would
w „
Grande City will crown the new queen on rriday, Dec.
8 at 7 p.m. at the Rio Grande City High School
Auditorium. The annual event is sponsored by the Rio
Grande City Lions Club. She is the daughter of Mr.
Mrs. Perfecto Cabrera.
and
1953. He was instrumental in the
purchase of Fort Ringgold for the
school district.
He also helped found the
Chamber of Commerce and the
Starr County Industrial Foundation.
Martin Garza has four children:
Lydia Garza, Martin P. Garza, Jr.,
Marco Antonio Garza, and Linda
Diana Hill.
In 1978, Martin retired and
married Emma Duran. They live at
108 Woodrow Wilson in Rio
Grande City. Today, Martin and
Emma have a garden and enjoy
retirement, but not too much.
Martin says it is terrible not to
have a lot of things to do.
Martin's children say he hits done
u all in his lifetime and should
write a book.
Historical
Society
Meeting Sunday
Miss Mona Trigo announces that
the Starr County Historical Society
will meet on Sunday, Dec 10 at 4
p.m. at the El Patio Del Rio
Restaurant in Rio Grande <• .ty.
Mrs. Ester P. Gonzales and Mrs.
Benildc Villarreal will talk on
Women Trend Setters of Starr
County, a scries of biographical
profiles published in 1987 to
commemorate the Scsquicentcnnial
of Texas independence.
Bridge, it was a proud moment for
the people of the county."
Martinez added, "It soon became
evident, however, that the demands
on the bridge could not be handled
by this facility. Many thought it
was an impossible dream, but the
plans and hard work went on The
dream today is a reality, and a very
beautiful one."
Precinct Two County
Commissioner Amando Pena of
Roma said, "It has been a long
dream. Ever since I was first elected
in 1966, this was my first plan.
More than 20 percent of our
economy depends on Mexico.
Monterrey is 95 miles away from
Roma and Monterrey's airport is 80
miles away."
Pena stressed, "I firmly believe
that this will be one of the best
international ports of entry
anywhere."
Congressman De La Garza began
his remarks by saying, "Like
Commissioner Pena, I feel the
fulfillment of a dream. The prayer
of Father Roy (Snipes) is my
prayer and that of all of us."
The congressman said that in the
United Suites, "we enlarge and open
our entry and exit points." He
stressed that this is contrary to the
procedure in totalitarian, especially
Communist, countries.
De La Garza told the workers,
especially law enforcement officers,
at the facilities, "You must be
brave. You must be firm with those
who would transgress our laws, but
yet you must be sensitive,
courteous and polite, and make
visitors feel welcome."
De La Garza said, "You need the
wisdom of Solomon to see who
would come as a friend and who
would come to transgress our laws.
We stand behind you."
He emphasized, "Freedom of
movement is a basic human right."
He added, "Father Roy described it
beautifully; the terrible ailment
throughout the world of the use and
abuse of drugs. Those who would
profit from this should be
condemned to eternal suffering.'
De La Garza recalled the tragic-
death, caused by cocaine use, of
University ol Maryland basketball
standout Len Bias. He also noted
that Washington Redskins football
star Dexter Manley "was banned for
life from football for the use of
drugs. Thais the only thing he
knew how to do."
The congressman, who serves as
chairman of the influential House
Agriculture Committee, said, "We
must promise ourselves that we
will do everything we can to stop
that (drug trallicking). Those ol you
who serve here will be in the
forefront.
He concluded, Before we (the
United State) were, they (the city of
Roma) were."
In introducing Sen. Gramm,
Judge Martinez said, 1 We must
respect Sen. Gramm lor the vigor
and dedication with which he has
attacked his task He has always
been in the forefront ol matters
related to the border."
Martinez praised Gramm's work
on such issues as the maquiladora
twin plant program and the cleanup
of the Rio Grande River. He termed
Gramm "a true friend of South
Texas."
Sen. Gramm led oil by saying. I
truly appreciate the opportunity to
work with your great congressman
Kika De La Gar/a." He termed the
congressman's rise to chairmanship
ol the House Agriculture
Committee an example of the
opportunities offered by the
American system of government
and way of life.
Gramm stressed. Th:-. is a new
and vibrant port ol entry for the
future. This is a commitment by
Starr County to economic
development and the luture I want
to see more jobs on both sides ol
the border."
(See PORT, Page 5)
Starr County Receives
Soaking Rains
Starr County was the beneficiary
of general and soaking rains over
the weekend that averaged roughly 2
1/4 inches throughout the county.
Soil Conservation Service
District Conservationist Arturo
Ibarra said, "A good average across
the county would be 2 1/4 inches.
The enure county got good general
rains. This rain was extremely good
for soil moisture; there was very
little runoff."
Ibarra stressed, "This is the best
general rain countywide that we've
had in manv months.'
Local weather observer Frank
Anderson indicated, "We got 2.7
inches of rain, with most of it
falling on Saturday. About 2.5
inches fell on Saturday. We had just
a heavy mist for most of Friday."
The Elder P. Ncic rcsidcncc west
of Rio Grande City recorded 1.98
inches of rain in a 96-hour period
ending at 7 a.m. on Monday, Dec.
4. The heaviest rainfall was in the
24 hours ending at 7 a.in Sunday,
when 1.47 inches tell. A total ol
.39 inches fell in the 24 hours
ending at 7 a.m. Saturday
Central Cafeteria
Rededication Friday
The rededication of the central
cafeteria at the Fort Ringgold
complex of the Rio Grande CISD
will take place Friday morning, and
will feature Congressman Kika De
La Garza as the main speaker.
The ribbonculting will take place
at 9:30 a.m. Friday to observe the
recent remodeling of the central
cafeteria at Fort Ringgold.
Congressman De L.a Garza will
be the main speaker, and will be
introduced by RGCCISD Director
of Food Services Edna Ramon. The
student response will be given by
Leticia Salinas, National Honor
Society President at Rio Grande
City High School.
The invocation will be given by
Deann Peterson, Student Council
officer at Rio Grande City High
School. The National Anthem will
be led by Rio Grande City High
School Band Director Rogcrio
Olivarez. The Pledge of Allegiance
will be led by Ringgold
Intermediate Student Council
President Rachel Corona
Serving as Master of Ceremonies
will be R.C. Salinas. The welcome
will be given by Rio Grande City
CISD Superintendent Dr. Lcobardo
Cano.
The keys will be presented by
Luis Figueroa, an architect with the
Rikc-Ogden architectural firm.
At the end of the ceremony,
special acknowledgements will be
given by Edna Ramon. Ringgold
Jr. High Student Council President
Roxanne Barrcra will give the
benediction
1st National
Motor
Bank Extending
Hours
First National Bank ol Rio
Grande City wishes to announce
extended banking services to its
banking customers by providing
banking services at the Motor Bank
on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The extended banking hours at
the Motor Bank becomes effective
on Saturday, Dec 9.
riTiSttfeXS- ' ■ • **•*..
-• - . -
The Rio Grande City Rattler football players that received 1«89 All-District
honors are pictured above. In the front row, from left to right, are Second Team
tailback Javier Garcia, First Team offensive guard Javier Cuellar, First I earn
wingback Bcrnie Anzaldua, and Honorable Mention fullback Basilio Acevedo. In the
back row are Second Team defensive back Frankic Villanueva, Second I earn
offensive tackle Robert Garza. First Team linebacker Richard Ouellette, and Second
Team defensive lineman Zenaido Magallanes. Not pictured are Honorable Mention
quarterback R.J. Rainirei and Honorable Mention center Hiram Saenz. Anzaldua led
the district in scoring and ranked ninth in state Class 5-A statistics with 122
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 80, No. 3, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 7, 1989, newspaper, December 7, 1989; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195214/m1/1/?rotate=270: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.