Mr. South Texas - U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar Congressman Henry Cuellar was sworn into office in January 2005, and has become a strong and independent voice in Congress. Prior to his election to the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Cuellar served as Texas’ 102nd Secretary of State and as a fourteen-year member of the Texas Legislature. In this the 110th Congress, he serves on the House Homeland Security, Small Business, and Agriculture Committees, and is also a Majority Senior Whip. During his legislative career Congressman Cuellar has continuously fought to improve access to quality education and health care for all. One of the milestones of his career was when he authored the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) as the first statewide pilot program at Farias Elementary in Laredo. The program was so successful, that it went statewide. Congressman Cuellar is a lawyer, businessman, educator, and is the most degreed Congressmen serving in the House today with five advanced degrees. He holds an Associates degree, Bachelor’s degree, Masters, Juris Doctorate, and a Ph.D. Congressman Cuellar and his wife Imelda reside in Laredo with their two daughters, Christy and Catie. International Bridge Ceremony Speaker W. Ralph Basham, Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection W. Ralph Basham was sworn in by President George W. Bush on June 6, 2006 to serve as the second Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the agency within the Department of Homeland Security responsible for managing, controlling, and securing our nation’s borders. Prior to joining CBP, he served as the director of the United States Secret Service since 2003. A 28-year veteran of the Service, Mr. Basham also served as director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and chief of staff of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Mr. Basham began his career with the Secret Service in 1970 as a special agent in the Washington Field Office. In January 1998, Mr. Basham was appointed director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. The center provides training for nearly all of the nation's federal law enforcement officers, including Secret Service recruits. Mr. Basham was named chief of staff for the (TSA) in January 2002. Mr. Basham received a Bachelor's Degree from Southeastern University in Washington, D.C. and has received numerous honors including the 1992 and 2000 Meritorious Presidential Rank Awards. Anheuser-Busch Washington's Birthday Parade Marshals Antonio O. Garza, Jr. - U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Antonio O. Garza, Jr. was named U.S. Ambassador to Mexico by President George W. Bush in the summer of 2002. Before being sworn in as Ambassador, Mr. Garza was Texas' 41st Railroad Commissioner. Elected in 1998, Ambassador Garza became the first Hispanic Republican elected to statewide office in Texas history. In 1994, shortly after George W. Bush became Governor-elect, he made his first appointment, naming Ambassador Garza as Texas’ 99th Secretary of State and a Senior Advisor. In 1988, Ambassador Garza was the first Republican elected to countywide office in South Texas. Ambassador Garza received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin in 1980 and was recognized as one of five Outstanding Young Texas Exes in 1989. He received his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1983 from Southern Methodist University School of Law. Hispanic Business Magazine has twice named him one of its "Top 100 Most Influential Hispanics." Michael D. McKinney, M.D. - Chancellor, The Texas A&M University System Michael D. McKinney, M.D., was named chancellor of The Texas A&M University System on Nov. 22, 2006. The A&M System is composed of nine universities, seven state agencies and a statewide health science center. Dr. McKinney, a family physician, came to the A&M System from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, where he had served as senior executive vice president and chief operating officer since September 2003. Since 2002, he has served as vice chancellor for health affairs at the UT System administrative offices in Austin and acting dean of the UT Medical School in Houston. During 2001 and 2002, Dr. McKinney served as chief of staff to Governor Rick Perry. From 1995 to 1998, during former Governor George W. Bush’s first term, he was Texas commissioner of health and human services. From 1984 to 1991, he served in the Texas House of Representatives. He was speaker pro-tempore of the House from 1989 to 1990. Dr. McKinney earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and an M.D. from the U.T. Medical Branch in Galveston. IBC Youth Parade Under the Stars Parade Marshal - Lieutenant General (Ret) Ricardo S. Sanchez Lieutenant General (LTG) Ricardo S. Sanchez is a native of Rio Grande City, Texas. He was commissioned a second lieutenant of armor in the Regular Army in 1973. His initial assignment was to the 4th Battalion (Light Airborne), 68th Armor, and 82nd Airborne Division. In 1977, he took command of Company C, 4th Battalion, and 68th Armor. LTG Sanchez was assigned to the U.S. Army Armor Center, where he served as the Chief, Analysis Branch for the Future Armored Combat System Task Force and the Armor Investment Strategy Study Group. LTG Sanchez assumed command of the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor, and 197th (Separate) Infantry Brigade. In 1999, he assumed duties as Commander, Multi-National Brigade (East), KFOR, Kosovo. On July 10, 2001, LTG Sanchez became Commanding General of the 1st Armored Division, America’s Tank Division. On June 14, 2003 following nomination to Lieutenant General, he assumed command in Baghdad, Iraq, of the Army’s Fifth Corps and, became the Commander of Combined joint Task Force 7. He returned to Germany where he continued as CG, V Corps until September 2006. He was the longest serving Corps Commander in V Corps history and he retired on November 1, 2006 after 33 years of service.   WBCA Stars & Stripes Air Show Marshal Major General (Dr.) Thomas W. Travis Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Thomas W. Travis is Commander of the 59th Medical Wing, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He leads the Air Force’s largest medical facility with a staff of 5,650 military, civilian, contract employees, residents and students. General Travis entered the Air Force in 1976 as a distinguished graduate of the ROTC Program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He was awarded his pilot wings in 1978 and served as an F-4 pilot and aircraft commander. The general completed his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences School of Medicine, where he was top Air Force graduate, and in 1987 he became a flight surgeon. For more than three years, General Travis was Chief of Medical Operations for the Human Systems Program Office at Brooks AFB, Texas. A command pilot and chief flight surgeon, he has more than 1,800 flying hours and is one of the Air Force’s few pilot-physicians. He has flown the F-4, F-15 and F-16 as mission pilot and, most recently, the Royal Air Force Hawk as senior medical officer and test pilot.   Poster Artist Kristina Angela Rathmell "Washington’s Grand Vision" Statement from the Artist: "I am honored to have my artwork selected by WBCA. I hope the people involved in the Celebration can enjoy the artwork. This art piece represents a different view of Americans. We might not have the stereotypical American culture but we are what make America a melting pot. I was inspired by Laredoans' patriotism for this country and their ongoing WBCA Celebrations and by the great generosity and hospitality everyone seems to display on both sides of the border. I used acrylic paint on canvas. It’s a standard form of painting but what makes it different is its unique format and composition." Kristina is a graduate of St. Augustine High School and is currently enrolled at Baylor College of Medicine. She is the daughter of Jacob and Dr. Carmen Rathmell.   Alexa Anne Treviño Representing the United States Alexa is 9 years old, and a 4th grader at United Day School. She is the daughter of Carlos F. Treviño and Pauline E. Treviño. Alexa’s parents and grandparents have been long time supporters of the WBCA and IGNC. Alexa is a talented young lady who takes an active role in her schools Student Council; she is a member of the United Day basketball, tennis and volleyball teams and enjoys swimming, drawing and pilates. Arturo Thomas Volpe Representing the United States Arturo, 8, is a third grader at United Day School. He is the son of John Carlos Volpe and Ana Gutierrez Volpe. Arturo’s mom currently serves as a board of director for the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association. Arturo is an athletic young man who participates in his school’s basketball team and enjoys playing soccer with the Laredo Heats’, "Kids Heat." He enjoys spending his summers at Camp Longhorn. Most importantly, Arturo Thomas is a direct descendent of Patrick Henry who was referred to as "The Voice of Liberty" by Thomas Jefferson. As such, Arturo Thomas, and his two sisters, will be charter members of the local chapter of the "Children of the American Revolution," which is currently being organized. Leopoldo Daniel Garcia Cavazos Representing Mexico Leopoldo, 9, is a fourth grader at United Day School. "Polo" as he is affectionately known, is the son of Hector Garcia Azios and Leticia Cavazos de Garcia. Over the years, several of his family members have participated as WBCA Ambassadors. His parents and grandparents continue to play an active role with the IGNC. Leopoldo is an outgoing young man who enjoys playing tennis, gymnastics and acting. He has participated at Camp Longhorn and is currently a member of the United Day Flag Football Team. In his spare time Polo makes it a point not to miss the Laredo Bucks in action. Mariajosé Cervantes Garcia Representing Mexico Mariajosé, 9, is a third grader at El Colegio Irlandés de Nuevo Laredo. She is the daughter of Eduardo Cervantes Ramirez and Thelma Garcia de Cervantes who have been active members of the Nuevo Laredo IGNC for many years. Mariajosé continues a family tradition begun by her father who proudly represented Mexico as an Abrazo Child in 1980 and her brother Eduardo was Abrazo Child in 2002. Her favorite subjects in school are geography and math. When Mariajosé is not studying, she spends her time playing basketball & swimming. General George Washington - Thomas Albert Gates Thomas Albert Gates portrayal of General George Washington continues the history of the Gates family's involvement with the Society of Martha Washington (SMW). Gates' grandmother, Annie Brown Gates was a Charter Member of the Society. His mother Dorothy-Jean Gates was a Member of the Society and his sisters Louise Gates Davis and Linda Gates Pederson have been presented by the Society. Gates' brother, Richard James Gates, as well as his son Thomas Albert Gates II have served as escorts. Gates is the Chairman of the Board of Gates Production Company; additionally he is a senior partner of Gates Mineral Company, Ltd. In 2005, Gates served as president of the Washington's Birthday Celebration Association (WBCA) and has since become a Lifetime Director of WBCA. That same year he received the Mayor's of Laredo Spirit Award for his continued dedication to the community of Laredo. Gates has also served on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club of Laredo and Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame. He is married to Diane Dilworth Gates, who has been a Member of the Society of Martha Washington since 1999. Martha Washington - Mary Lamar Gallagher Leyendecker Mary Lamar Gallagher Leyendecker, selected to portray Martha Dandridge Washington, has a long family history of being actively involved with the Society of Martha Washington (SMW). Leyendecker was presented as a debutante in 1970 and served as President of SMW in 1997. Leyendecker's mother, Lamar Kahn Gallagher, and her sister, Janice Gallagher Gonzalez, have also portrayed Martha Dandridge Washington. Mary Lamar's aunt, Maria Sanchez Buttron and her cousin Helen Kahn Pellegrin were Charter Members when the organization was founded in 1939. Both her sons, Radcliffe Killam II and David W. Killam, Jr. have served as escorts. Leyendecker holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Texas A&I - Laredo, and currently serves as a board member for The Ruth B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center, The Children's Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County, Institutional Review Board of Doctors Hospital, The Laredo Philharmonic Association, and The Witte Museum of San Antonio. Leyendecker is an active community volunteer and is married to Gary A. Leyendecker. Pocahontas and Chief - Liza N. Gonzalez and Sergio Hugo "Red" Velasquez, Jr. 2008 Princess Pocahontas Liza N. Gonzalez Liza N. Gonzalez is the daughter of Joseph and Edna Mayers. She is a senior at J.B. Alexander High School where she is a cheerleader. Liza has won numerous awards for cheerleading both in school and in All Star Programs. She is the first All Star Cheerleader in Laredo to win an NCA national jacket. Liza volunteers her time at Doctors Hospital and has helped young children at various summer camps for dance and tumbling. Upon graduation from high school, she plans to attend North Texas State University where she hopes to pursue a degree in Business and a minor in Dance. Chief Thunder Hawk Sergio Hugo "Red" Velasquez, Jr. Sergio Hugo "Red" Velasquez, Jr. is the son of Sergio and Adriana Velasquez, and the grandson of Ramon and Nelia Sciaraffa, and Felix and Emma Velasquez. He is a junior at J.B. Alexander High School where he plays football, basketball and baseball. Upon graduation from high school, he plans to attend St. Mary's University where he hopes to pursue a degree in Sports Medicine.