
The University of New Mexico
NEWS RELEASE
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales 277-5920
cgonzal@unm.edu
August 16, 2006
DE COLORES FEATURES VÁZQUEZ AS KEYNOTE AT CULTURE FESTIVAL BANQUET
New Mexico's first female federal judge, Chief Justice Martha Vázquez, is the keynote speaker for “Unsung Heroes,” the theme of De Colores' 14 th Annual Hispanic Culture Festival, Saturday, Oct. 14, from 7 – 9 p.m. at the University of New Mexico Student Union Building Ballroom. Tickets are $75. Table sponsorship is also available.
The evening features an awards banquet where seven “Unsung Heroes” will be honored in the following areas: lifetime achievement, government, humanitarian, education, business, arts and grassroots. Awards will also be presented to high school or college students who have demonstrated a commitment to the Hispanic community on and off campus, and who perform well academically. A total of four student awards will be given, two to high school and two to college students. Nominations will be accepted through Sept. 5.
Following the awards banquet, a dance featuring the 2005 Tejano Academy Award winning band, “Crossroads,” will perform. Their music ranges from horn driven rancheras, cumbias, traditional conjunto, boleros and salsa to country, jazz, big band, rock, funk and oldies.
Of the keynote, José Armas, founding De Colores board member, said, “Judge Vázquez epitomizes the sense of social responsibility we honor. She is a terrific role model for all Latinas, Latinos and everyone to emulate.”
Vázquez attended Notre Dame in 1972, the first year it opened its doors to women. She passed the New Mexico Bar in 1979 and practiced law as a public defender and criminal defense and general civil law attorney for 15 years before President Bill Clinton appointed her a federal judge.
Vázquez has taken a special interest in the undocumented and recently issued an opinion on racial profiling against the US Border Patrol. She has issued key opinions on immigration, civil rights, police brutality and Indian sovereignty.
De Colores is a 32-year organization, which, for the last 13 years produced the largest festival in New Mexico during Hispanic Heritage Month. Jennifer Gomez-Chavez, De Colores president and UNM program manager, said, “This year, the festival commemorates the 514 th ‘birthday' of contemporary Latinos or mestizos and their global contributions.”
For the last seven years, UNM and De Colores have forged a partnership to encourage the community and school children to become a part of university life by showcasing their art, music, poetry, literature and dance weekly throughout Hispanic Heritage Month.
UNM Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Eliseo “Cheo” Torres, said, “We are proud of our growing relationship with De Colores. Many UNM departments will again partner with De Colores' during the 14 th annual festival.”
A special tribute will honor artist Luis Jiménez and long-time community activist and De Colores Board Member Beverly Garcia, both of whom died recently. A display honoring each will be showcased at UNM's SUB from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.
Jiménez was the featured poster artist in 1999. A commemorative reissue of the poster will be featured and released this year. Jiménez's poster is available unframed for $35 or $100 for a framed copy.
For more information, please call José Armas, 730-1899 or email armas@swcp.com , or Jennifer Gomez-Chavez, 220-1311 or email jengomez@unm.edu .
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