60TH ANNIVERSARY OF SIGNING OF TREATY FOR AMISTAD RESERVOIR

The month of October resonates with La Fiesta de La Amistad in the Del Rio community!  However, October 2020 will be the exception!   Like a thief in the night, a dark cloud descended upon us, not only spoiling our Fiesta, but taking our loved ones.  In loving memory of all the victims (102 to date) of this deadly virus known as COVID-19, we, the International Good Neighbor Council have decided to celebrate in a responsible manner.   Our celebration this year will focus on the reason Fiesta de la Amistad originated:  The signing of the treaty to construct Amistad Dam.  On October 24, 1960, US President Dwight D. Eisenhower and  Mexico’s President Adolfo Lopez Mateos met in Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila Mexico to sign the treaty to construct Amistad Dam.   Since our modern day Fiesta celebration, has its origin at that 1960 meeting, it will be the focus of our celebration this year.   We have heard the saying “Go Big or Go Home”!   At IGNC’s first meeting this year, we had grand plans for Fiesta.  We would be celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the treaty to construct Amistad Dam.  This grand celebration called for its guest of honor to be none other than our President, Donald J. Trump!  The invitation went out to the president and to this date we await his response.    Our rationale:  In 1960 President Eisenhower visited Del Rio and Ciudad Acuna to sign the treaty;  in 1966 President Lyndon Baines  Johnson came to check on the Progress and in 1969 President Richard M. Nixon came to dedicate and officially open Amistad Dam and reservoir for business!   On October 2, 2020 the Exhibit celebrating the 60th Anniversary was opened at the Whitehead Museum and will be open all month for the public to visit!  


DORA G. ALCALA’,
Past President IGNC