The Tejano Monument Groundbreaking

The Tejano Monument board president and McAllen native Cayetano Barrera spoke at this morning's press conference.


We then proceeded to the monument site to break ground.

As noted by the Austin American Statesman:

The monument, which commemorates the contributions of Texas' early Spanish and Mexican settlers and their descendants, is scheduled for unveiling March 29. Supporters who led a 10-year campaign for recognition of Tejano history say the monument fills gaps in traditional historical accounts of the story of Texas.

Created by Laredo sculptor Armando Hinojosa, the statuary will be mounted on more than 250 tons of granite. The base alone is 35 feet wide and 8 feet tall at its highest point, and the statues depicting early settlers, livestock and the ranching experience are life-size, said Jaime Beaman, the architect on the project.

Accompanying plaques will tell the Tejano story beginning with the arrival of the Spaniards in the 1500s. According to the monument committee, the statuary will be the biggest at any state capitol in the country.

God willing, I'll be there for the unveiling on the 29th of March.