OCTOBER BANQUET TO FEATURE HISPANIC LEADERS AND DISHES FROM LATIN AND HISPANIC NATIONS

(KINGSVILLE, September 24, 1996) - A Hispanic Heritage banquet, slated for Oct. 14, will mark the end of a month-long celebration of Hispanic culture at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The celebration finale will offer guests plenty of food for thought, featuring comments from key Hispanic leaders and a variety of dishes to tempt culinary aficionados.

The general public is invited to attend the banquet which will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. in the A&M-Kingsville Student Union Ballroom.

U.S. Rep. Kika de la Garza, former chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, will be the keynote speaker. State Rep. Irma Rangel, A&M-Kingsville (then Texas A&I) graduate and chairman of the House Higher Education Committee, will also be a guest speaker.

They will talk about Hispanic heritage and will share inspirational stories about their path to elected office, equality for minorities and their experiences adapting to a changing world.

A myriad of mouth-watering culinary delights from various Latin and Hispanic nations, identified with the flag and name of the country, will be served buffet-style. Guests will be serenaded throughout the meal by Mariachi Javelina. Recipes will be available upon request, said Cecilia Aros Hunter, co-chairman of the Hispanic Heritage Committee.

A starving artist sale, set up in the Student Union Building hallway, will feature Chicano works of art and will be held in conjunction with the banquet.

Banquet tickets are on sale and must be purchased in advance from the Student Union Building office in Room 300, from Syliva Martinez in Room 101 of the Jernigan Library or from Marriott Food Service cashiers in the Student Union Building. Tickets are $5 for students with ID and $10 for faculty, staff and the general public. No tickets will be sold at the door.

-TAMUK-
-Mary McAdam