A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATESAND THE INTERNATIONAL GOOD NEIGHBOR COUNCIL

​Every year the International Good Neighbor Council (IGNC) selects a theme for the Annual Fiesta de Amistad.   This year we held an art Contest to select our theme: “ Friendship between two countries:  the United States and Mexico.”   Amistad (Friendship) also happens to be our theme for Fiesta 2017.  Our goal is to improve and make our annual Fiesta de Amistad bigger and better for all the citizens  of Del Rio and Cd. Acuna to participate and enjoy.  I would like to dedicate my remarks as your president to a very important person who dedicated years of his life to the International Good Neighbor Council organization.  None other,  than  my dearly departed Amigo, Raul DeAnda who trusted me to  chair the International Abrazo many years ago.  Needless to say, I was hooked! Thank you! Mr. DeAnda in heaven!  Now to the message from the President of the United States:  On October 24th, 1984 the President of IGNC received a Telegram from the President of the United States which read: “ I would like to congratulate the members of the Del Rio, Texas and the Ciudad Acuna, Mexico, Chapters of the International Good Neighbor Council for your efforts in Promoting Friendship  and goodwill between your two cities and our two countries.  It was twenty-five years ago today that President Dwight Eisenhower and President Adolfo Lopez Mateo of Mexico met to announce the construction of Amistad Dam on the Rio Grande.  In the years since, Amistad has been the stimulus for continued economic growth on both sides of the border and has provided an adequate flow of water for people involved in agriculture in both countries.  Your two Chapters are also to be congratulated for your annual Fiesta de Amistad this past weekend, which celebrates this cooperative event between our two countries.  Nancy and I send you our best wishes for every future success.”   RONALD REAGAN
Enjoy Fiesta de Amistad 2017!  DORA G. ALCALA’, President, International Good Neighbor Council.

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