Reynosa, Miguel Aleman, and Almolonga in Guatemala are the Newest Sister Cities
By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
As originally published by Texas Border Business newsprint edition February 2018
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The celebration started with a big welcome by the mistress of ceremonies Aida Lerma, Deputy City Manager for the city of Mission. She said, “Welcome to the Mayor’s International Brunch, celebrating the Texas Citrus Fiesta and the history of the citrus industry in our area.”
The City of Mission is honored when many of the sister cities throughout Mexico attend this important celebration. Lerma said, “First time, all the way from Guatemala, is the municipality of Almolonga.”
There was a special feeling, a municipality so far from the border was visiting Mission, and the newest sister cities with Mission; Miguel Aleman and Reynosa, Tamaulipas. It was indeed a great celebration. Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas continues to reach out to communities near and far away, building friendships, and strengthening relationships with Mexico.
The Mayor’s International Brunch is now recognized as one of the most important events that takes place in Mission Texas. The event entertains the delegates of all the Sister Cities and many distinguished guests attending the festivities.
Mayor Beto Salinas and a team of dedicated staff and city officials are always present to host hundreds of guests. The ceremony is celebrated with important protocols and respectfully opens space for salutation to the foreign countries participating in the event.
“First, we have the Mexican National Anthem, with Regina de la Garza. She represents the City of Miguel Aleman, Tamaulipas, and after we continue with the Guatemala National Anthem,” Lerma announced.
It is important to say that this brunch it’s a city tradition since the mid 1970s. Such celebration brings leaders together from throughout our area to discuss issues and opportunities of mutual interest.
At the forefront of this community, is Mayor Salinas, a genuine public servant that has been serving Mission since 1998. One who works hard to bring new business to improve the quality of life, reducing taxes. And well known for his strong character that gets things done.
Over the course of 20 years, Mission has been transformed into one of the fastest growing areas in the nation. This is being done with the leadership, vision and tenacity of Mayor Salinas.
Mayor Salinas was invited to the podium and welcomed all his distinguished guests of all of the Sister Cities. “Thank you, Reynosa, and Thank you, Miguel Aleman,” he said. “We are very impressed with the people from Guatemala and what you represent for believing in Jesus Christ and God, and that you have made so many improvements to the city of Almolonga.” The mayor said that he visited Almolonga and saw what they did and believes in it.
Mayor Salinas said that it was wonderful to be able to celebrate these festivities with friends from Mexico and now from Guatemala. “We want to share what we have in Mission, we share with everybody in Mexico and now is going to be with Guatemala,” he stated.
During his speech, mayor Salinas had very nice things to say about McAllen, a city where he lived while growing up from 1965 to 1980. He welcomed McAllen Mayor Jim Darling also attending the celebration.
Mayor Salinas also spoke about his support for DACA and NAFTA. He believes that NAFTA is one of the most important partnership between the three countries.
“We need to work hard and make sure that NAFTA continues. I think that Mr. Trump needs a little education on NAFTA, I think he has done a lot of good things in other departments, but he wants to eliminate NAFTA and we won’t let him because is something that has helped Mexico and the U.S., specially our Valley.”
The mayor also made an important announcement, because soon the Mission Convention Center will be finished and next celebration of the Mayor’s International Brunch will be held there.
“We are going to be able to bring more Sister Cities, we will have more space in a beautiful building, our very own civic center,” he said. He thanked everyone coming from far lands and welcome them to stay.
City officials were acknowledged, and the first on the list was Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas, Councilwoman Yessica Ortega Ochoa, Councilman Ruben Plata, Councilman Dr. Armando Ocaña and city manager Martin Garza.
Mario’s Banquet Hall was packed with many important guests from our neighbor Mexico like the Mayor of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Dr. Maki Esther Ortiz Dominguez. Representing Miguel Aleman, Mayor Professor Rosy Corro Acosta. Representing the municipality of Salinas Victoria, Mayor Gonzalo Elizondo Lira. From Angostura, Sinaloa, we’re visited by the Mayor Jose Manuel Valenzuela Lopez, also Mayor Nicolas Enrique Corona of the municipality of Casimiro Castillo, Mayor of Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Gerardo Javier Treviño Rodriguez. In representation of the Mayor of the municipality Francisco I. Madero, Coahuila, came Modesto Alcala Martinez and Miss Zayra Alcala Mendez, PRI’s president. Mayor Jose Andres Zorrilla Moreno from Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas and the presence of the Mayor of General Teran, Eleuterio Villagomez Guerrero.
By now readers can have an idea the importance of this traditional celebration. This year, Mayor Salinas crossed multiple international borders and made friends with Mayor Pedro Siquina Yac of Almolonga Guatemala.
From the Mexican Caribbean Jose Jesus Castillo, Director General of Tourism came to represent the Mayor of Isla Mujeres.
From the Magic Town of Villa del Carbon, State of Mexico, came Miguel Enriquez, president of the committee of Sister Cities, and Dr. Carlos Amanego.
From Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, we have Mister Ismael Perez and Miss Yovaney Monje and Salvador Lee from Irapuato, Guanajuato.
It was said that some of the delegates visited Mission for the very first time eager to learn about the economic opportunities. I was also said that they are seeking partnerships that will further enhance their respective communities.
