Thread: Heroes of Mexico: Coming Soon to a Park Near You

http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/news/lo ... 566c4.html

Statues may honor famous Mexicans
Dallas: Proposal calls for expanding display at Winnetka Park



12:00 AM CST on Wednesday, January 25, 2006
By PATRICIA ESTRADA / Al DÃ*a


Heroes and other historical figures from Mexico could soon have a public space in Dallas where Mexicans and their descendants can pay tribute to them.

Under a plan coordinated by city officials, community leaders and the Mexican consul-general in Dallas, the statues of at least eight Mexican heroes would be on permanent display at Winnetka Park in West Dallas, the recreational center where the statue of former Mexican President Benito Juarez is displayed.

"It will be a rotunda dedicated to the heroes of Mexican history," said Carlos Garcia De Alba, the Mexican consul-general.

He said the display, to be named "La Rotonda de los Mexicanos Ilustres," could be the first of its kind in the U.S.

Steve Salazar, council member for the district that includes Winnetka Park, said the plan is under way but officials are waiting for a design from the city's parks department to begin construction.

"We already have the square. They're thinking of expanding it to include other statues and monuments of Mexican heroes," Mr. Salazar said.

Willis Winters, assistant director of the parks department, did not return calls for comment.

Several busts of political figures are awaiting installation.

"We're just waiting to get the word on when we'll be able to have this space available for our heroes," said Isidro Gomez, president of Club Lazaro Cardenas del Rio.

Mr. Gomez has kept the bust of former President Lazaro Cardenas del Rio in his home for several months.

Mr. De Alba said other important Mexicans are under consideration for the display, including poet Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, independence figures Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon, Vicente Guerrero and Ignacio Zaragoza, and revolutionary Emiliano Zapata.

Neighborhood groups expressed no opposition to the project.

"We want a spot that represents an improvement to the community," said Wendy Barker, president of the Neighborhood Association at Winnetka Heights.

In a community made up largely of Hispanics, the project makes sense, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Elba Garcia said.

Dr. Garcia said that it's important to protect the statues from vandalism and that consulate and Mexican leaders can expect the budget to include repair costs.

Mr. De Alba said the next step is construction funding.

"The hard part now is to get the money."

E-mail pestrada@aldiatx.com

http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=12169

Heroes of Mexico: Coming Soon to a Park Near You

by Lynn Woolley
Posted Feb 03, 2006

The Mexicanization of the Southwestern United States has taken another step forward with the announcement of “La Rotonda de los Mexicanos Ilustresâ€

I would think a statue of El Presidente Bush, would fit right in.