WBCA Delegation in D.C.
LAREDO, TX (September 28, 2011)– Representatives of the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association (WBCA), of Laredo, Texas, traveled to Washington D.C. to co-host a reception with Congressman Henry Cuellar to invite federal officials to Laredo for the 115th Celebration.
“In honoring the Father of our Country it is important to visit our nation’s capital and our country’s leaders to share our patriotism and enthusiasm and to invite them to our very special celebration,” WBCA president Jose A. Palacios, Jr. said.
Palacios took every opportunity to invite officials in D.C. to Laredo’s award winning festival.
“Our annual trip to Washington D.C. is yet another way to venture out and promote Laredo and the Celebration; and, expand our WBCA family,” he added.
The 2012 Ambassadors who traveled to D.C. were Oscar Moreno, portraying George Washington, Anita Lorraine Fansler Averill, portraying Martha Dandridge Washington; Zelina A. Ruiz, portraying Princess Pocahontas; Javier Morales III, portraying Chief Mystic Healer; and the Abrazo Children: representing the United States, Jordann Paris Hale and Ryan Montgomery C. Moore; and representing Mexico, were Analia Mounetou Monroy and Horacio Alberto Perez Vasquez.
The WBCA delegation visited Mount Vernon and had the distinct honor to pay tribute to the real George and Martha Washington in a very special way. Palacios, Averill and Moreno were allowed access to the tomb where our Founding Father and his spouse now rest; and, the group laid a ceremonial wreath at the sacred site in commemoration.
While in D.C., the delegation hosted a reception to invite federal officials, legislators, and department heads to Laredo to experience the 115th Washington’s Birthday Celebration firsthand. Some of the guests in attendance included congressmen and congresswomen, from Texas, Francisco “Quico” Canseco (23rd District), Charlie Gonzalez (20th), Gene Green (29th), Ruben Hinojosa (15th), Eddie Bernice Johnson (20th), Sheila Jackson Lee (18th) and Michael McCaul (10th).
Also in attendance at the event were, Ben R. Lujan of New Mexico, representing the 3rd District; Chairman of the House of Armed Services Committee, Howard “Buck” McKeon of California (representing the 25th District); and, Democratic Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi (8th).
The Washington’s Birthday Celebration, founded in 1898, is the largest Celebration of its kind in the United States.
Throughout the years, the Celebration has grown to be over a month long and consists of parades, dazzling pageants, fireworks, a carnival, an air show, a sizzling jalapeño festival and much more. Combined, WBCA events attract nearly 500,000 residents and visitors, and yearly contributes an estimated $14 million to the local economy.
The Washington's Birthday Celebration was recently ranked as one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association (ABA) because of the excellent entertainment value it offers to both tour groups and individual travelers from around the world.
The 115th Washington’s Birthday Celebration takes place January 19 - February 19, 2012. Tickets for events may be purchased beginning Feb. 6th. For additional information, click on the media tab at www.wbcalaredo.org, e-mail wbca@wbcalaredo.org, contact the WBCA office at (956) 722-0589, or visit 1819 E. Hillside Road in Laredo, TX.
