The Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association (WBCA) visited the Texas State Capitol to formally extend an invitation to Governor Greg Abbott and other state officials to attend the Washington’s Birthday Celebration in Laredo, Texas.
The WBCA group was warmly received by Dean Senator Judith Zaffirini, State Representative Richard Peña Raymond, State Representative Don McLaughlin, State Representative Ryan Guillen, and former State Representative Tracy O. King, senior advisor to House Speaker Dustin Burrows, among others, who every year help invite Texas legislative officials to Laredo in February for the Celebration.
AT&T proudly sponsored the WBCA Austin Trip Reception co-hosted by Dean Senator Zaffirini, State Representative Raymond and State Representative McLaughlin at the Capitol.
While at the State Capitol, Dean Senator Judith Zaffirini and Representative Richard Raymond introduced the delegation of WBCA officials and 2024-2025 Celebration Ambassadors to state officials and guests. Dean Senator Zaffirini further presented a Senate Resolution, honoring the organization’s patriotism and dedication.
Mario Barragan, of AT&T, the sponsor of the WBCA Austin Trip, emphasized the importance of the Celebration and that of this endeavor.
“It is AT&T’s pleasure to once again show our ongoing commitment to communities in which we work and live by partnering with the Washington Birthday Celebration Association to sponsor this bi-national event,” he said, emphasizing that Laredo’s strategic location on the U.S./Mexico border designates it as an important economic and cultural port for Texas and northern Mexico. “WBCA is a remarkable testament to the rich bi-national identity and culture of South Texas and our Laredo community,” he added.
The 2024-2025 WBCA Ambassadors who made the trip to Austin included Russell Lee Cerda, portraying George Washington, Minnie Dora Haynes Rodriguez, portraying Martha Washington; Briseis Alexandra Sauceda and Jeremy Rodriguez, representing Princess Pocahontas and “Chief Blue Eagle”; U.S. Abrazo Children – Zelie Evangelina Martinez and Rodrigo Neira; Abrazo Children representing Mexico – Tiago X Fernandez and Maria Fernanda Garcia, and Ruben Bazan III, representing Don Miguel Hidalgo Y Costilla of Mexico, as well as many other friends and supporters of the Celebration.
WBCA Ambassadors were recognized in the Senate Gallery with City of Laredo representatives and other local groups, as part of “Laredo Day” at the Capitol; and, were subsequently honored on the House Floor.
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 127th Washington’s Birthday Celebration takes place January 16 – March 1, 2025.
For a complete calendar of WBCA events, visit www.wbcalaredo.org.
