An announcement from the South Texas Civil Rights Project

Noche de Fiesta

Celebrating Commitment to the Community

Wednesday, September 3, 2008
McAllen Chamber of Commerce, 1200 Ash
(north of Business 83, just east of Archer Park)
Reception 6:30 p.m.
Awards 7:30 p.m.
(Food catered by Edible Pursuits)
Tickets:  $30
For more information call (956) 787-8171

Please join us in honoring:

Ramón Ayala
Ed Krueger
Sister Marian Strohmeyer

“I was very much impressed with what I saw and heard… I can’t imagine there’s another organization like the Civil Rights Project anywhere.  At least, I’ve never come across one….”–Noam Chomsky

Ramón Ayala

The Legendary musician, accordionist and songwriter, who has defined much of modern norteño music with his distinctive playing and lyrics, for his example of generosity and care for Texas and Mexican communities in need. Known in the world of Tejano music as the ‘King of Accordion’, nominated for two Latin Grammy awards at a ceremony in Los Angeles, ‘Best Norteno Album’ for his recent CD ‘Dos Grandes Del Norte’. Ayala, has played in public for about 30 years, has more than 75 album recordings to his credit and is currently engaged in making a film about his life.

Apart from playing the accordion, Ramon Ayala works as a bicycle maker and is well known for his voluntary work with disabled and abused children. His unstinting philanthropic work is motivated by the fact that his two brothers were both disabled, and he recently commented that “If someone fills a child with love, what is that child going to give? Love, of course. And that’s what the world needs”. Since the 1960’s he has quietly donated, volunteered and given back to his community through his generous humanitarian endeavors.

Ed Krueger

We are pleased to award Rev. Ed Krueger the Emma Tenayuca Award for his passionate commitment to social justice and humanitarian concerns. In 1979 Ed founded the Comite de Apoyo, Inc., and the Committee for the Health, Education, and Empowerment of Women Workers. Rev. Ed Krueger’s life has been enriched with work that has been challenging, life-giving, and faith-filled.  While taking part in the farm worker strike in the Rio Grande Valley, that took place from1966 to 1970, Texas Rangers accosted Ed and held him just inches from a passing train.

This incident was the focal point of a lawsuit filed in 1967 by the Texas Council of Churches and unions against Captain Allee, and the Texas Rangers for showing bias against labor in general, Mexican farm workers in particular, and other persons of Mexican heritage. The case was won in the U.S. Supreme Court which found five Texas laws unconstitutional.  Rev. Krueger also worked with Cesar Chavez in California in the early 1970s.

Sister Marian Strohmeyer

For her commitment to providing sanctuary for refugees and health care to the Valley residents in most need. Sister Marian Strohmeyer responded to refugees from Central America by opening Casa Merced on her family’s McAllen property. For the next twelve years, more than 4000 refugees were sheltered in Casa Merced. She also became involved in the first sanctuary trial, held in Brownsville, where Stacey Merkt was the defendant at the time when several Valley activists were part of the Underground Railroad for refugees. After being on the Texas State Board of Health for three years, she become aware of the needs of HIV and AIDS patients. In 1989, Comfort House was born. In 1999, she co-founded Hope Family Health Center, which provides counseling and primary health care.

Noche de Fiesta

Celebrating Commitment to the Community

“The work of the Texas Civil Rights Project is critical in the struggle to bring about justice and equality in Texas .” –César Chávez

Board of Directors

Maricela Martínez, Presidenta      Teresa Corona, Vice-President

Pablo Almaguer, Treasurer-Secretary

Zulema Hernández    Juan Carlos Lopez

Cecilia Mendoza     Ramona Casas

Staff

Corinna Spencer-Scheurich, Attorney

Sister Moira Kenny, Paralegal

Jaime Ortiz, VAWA Coordinator/Office Manager

Laura E. Sutherland, POLC Paralegal

Yessica Gonzalez, VAWA Assistant

Noemi Martinez, Legal Assistant