Posted on 11/20/2008 12:07:27 PM PST by SwinneySwitch
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza, who is serving his last weeks in office under the Bush administration, is being honored today with the Amistad Award for his dedication to building United States and Mexico relations.
The San Antonio-Mexico Friendship Council, a nonprofit group dedicated to strengthening ties between both countries, said Garza's support of San Antonio's trade delegations to Mexico and the work that the binational North American Development Bank conducts there have earned him the award. The development bank is headquartered in San Antonio.
“We are very happy that (Garza) has accepted,” said Henry Sauvignet, president of the friendship council. “This is obviously a transition period, and the fact that he has made the time to come to San Antonio is an honor in itself.”
Garza, whom President George W. Bush appointed as ambassador to Mexico in 2002, will be presented the honor at a black-tie dinner at the Marriott Riverwalk Hotel. The 12th Annual “Noche de Amistad” begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m.
San Antonio banker Tom Frost will serve as master of ceremonies.
Garza, a close friend of Bush, is among the longest-serving U.S. ambassadors to Mexico and has seen the country become engulfed in drug cartel violence during his six-year tenure.
As a result, he was a big advocate for the passage of the Merida Initiative, a $1.6 billion U.S. aid package that Bush signed into law in June to help Mexico combat the cartels. The initial $400 million from the package has yet to be distributed to Mexico.
More recently, Garza opened a $66 million mega U.S. consulate in Ciudad Juarez.
The Brownsville native and University of Texas at Austin alumnus hasn't publicly announced his plans for the future once President-elect Barack Obama is sworn into office Jan. 20. Once considered a Republican candidate for Texas governor, Garza announced last year he wouldn't seek the office.
“This is what I would like to do when my tenure as ambassador is complete: be one of those Texans who stand outside the political arena but who continue to serve and make a positive difference in people's lives,” Garza said in a statement to reporters.
Garza married Maria Asuncion Aramburuzabala, vice chairwoman of Grupo Modelo, maker of Corona beer, in 2005.
Sauvignet said Garza has done an excellent job of representing the United States and Mexico and his organization will be saddened once Garza vacates the position.
“There's no doubt about the fact that there is a sense of Texas pride that it is a Texan that is United States ambassador to Mexico,” he said.
Both countries are going to hell in a handbasket!
The s.o.b. should be tarred and feathered and run out of the Country on a rail.
Ping!
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
“Garza married Maria Asuncion Aramburuzabala, vice chairwoman of Grupo Modelo, maker of Corona beer, in 2005.”
I think he’ll be fine retiring after Jan. 20.
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