AWARD RECIPIENTS — The Kleberg County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce honorees are, Johnny Macreno, outgoing president; Robert Rivera, Lydia’s Restaurant, Business of the Year; Willie Garza, Lifetime Achievement Award; Betty Haas, president of the Kingsville Board of Realtors, received a certificate of appreciation for their donation to the fire victim families; Maggie Salinas, honored a 1991 charter member and contributions of the Hispanic Chamber; and Rosario and Rosa Maria Torres, special recognition award on behalf of their parents, Eliseo and Rosita Torres, owners of D.R.C. Tortilla Factory Inc. (Photo by Gloria Bigger-Cantu). The Kleberg Hispanic Chamber of Commerce presented awards to outstanding local businesses and individuals at the installation and awards banquet held June 11 at Texas A&M University Kingsville.

The recipients were honored for their successful businesses and community involvement.

Roberto Riviera Jr., owner of Lydia’s Restaurant received the Business of the Year Award.

Johnny Macareno, outgoing president, presented the award to Riviera. Macareno spoke briefly about the history of the restaurant and a dream that began with Riviera’s family in the early sixties.

“Their dream burned persistently on them and after working in various eateries around Kingsville that dream finally came true in the early eighties,” Macareno said. “After raising four boys and one girl, they opened up a small restaurant on l4th Street and struggled for the first year.”

After hard work and determination their dream materialized and the Riviera family moved to l4th Street and Yoakum, and they moved to King Street May 1986. However, due to health reasons, they were forced to retire and the business was passed on to their older son and family. The new owners relocated Lydia’s Restaurant to its present location at 817 West King in 1998.

“Their business now enjoys a dining room that can accommodate more than 200 customers. The food still continues to leave the kitchen with that homestyle flavor and local clientele still manages to honor them with their presence,” said Macareno, the outgoing Kleberg Hispanic Chamber of Commerce president.

After receiving the award, Riviera expressed gratitude to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce award and others.

“I thank God for giving us the strength and stamina because we did not have that much experience,” Riviera said. “I would like to thank my wife who has worked so hard and my son Bob.”

“I would like to thank this community and our customers who come to our doors on a daily basis,” he said.

The next recognition, a community service award, was presented to Maggie Salinas for being a charter member of the Kleberg Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, her devotion and commitment to the organization and being a long standing community leader.

“Maggie Salinas is the heart and soul of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce,” said Roberto Villarreal, vice-president, who met Salinas in 1990 when he was producing a movie. He praised Salinas for her assistance in making the movie a reality.

Salinas accepted the special recognition award and expressed her gratitude.

“As a charter member I dreamed of how we can help each other and the community,” she said.

She related that she has been working for 57 years and does not plan to stop. She had the sole responsibility of raising her three children and worked three jobs to support them.

“I want to thank the Lord, my family and am grateful to the community that has supported my projects,” she said.

Salinas also spoke about the cultural preservation, one of the components, to the Main Street application. She also recognized Bob Trescott, downtown manager, who was in the audience.

“We want to develop and recognize and establish a cultural zone to honor our business settlers and their families in our ‘pueblo mexicano,” she said. “This will benefit our entire community.”

Having said that, Salinas introduced the next recipient of the special recognition award to a tortilla business that has been in existence about 55 years. This special recognition award was presented to La Famosa D.R.C. Tortilla Factory, Inc.

Current owners, Eliseo and Rosita Torres, purchased the business from the Daniel R. Covarrubias family in 1972. La Famosa D.R.C. Tortilla Factory continues to be a family owned business. Every family member has worked in the business.

“The Torres family is proud to be a part of many family traditions and customs,” Salinas praised. “The Hispanic culture is alive and well and growing with every new generation who comes in the front door of this long time established business. La Famosa D.R.C. has served many families and continues to flourish thanks to the fact that people are proud of their heritage.”

She also praised the Torres Family for educating their five daughters. All of them have degrees. Three of them from TAMUK. One of the daughters has a doctorate degree from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi.

Two of the daughters, Rosamaria and Rosario Torres, accepted the award on behalf of their parents.

Rosamaria Torres spoke briefly about her parents and their business and expressed their gratitude for the honor.

“We would to thank the Kleberg Hispanic Chamber for this recognition and our customers for patronizing our business throughout the years,” said Rosamaria Torres.

Betty Haass received a certificate of appreciation as president of the Kingsville Board of Realtors for their assistance to the fire victims. Last year five families lost their homes in a blaze and the Kingsville Board of Realtors and others helped the families. They donated $500.

“I proudly accept this effort for the Board of Realtors,” Haass said.

She said the Realtors established a Pennies for Tennis fund. Each time they sold a home the title company took money from their checks for this charitable endeavor. Money would be used to help buy shoes for needy children. Currently, they also donate to others such as fire and other disaster victims.

Another person who received a recognition award was Ruben Garcia with the Bikers Club but was not present at the event. Garcia was honored for coordinating a fundraiser to help the five fire victim families.

“Ruben Garcia is a very caring individual and will do whatever it takes to help families,” she said. “He and his f riends raised $4,000 to help us raise money for the fire victims. Their fundraiser was done so professionally.”

Another recognition was given to Macreno, who received the Outgoing President Award for his three-year tenure. Frank Ureno, the future president, made that presentation.

The last presentation was the Lifetime Achievement Award.Longtime well-known Kingsville resident and community leader, Willie J. Garza, was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by Gilberto Uresti, a board member and owner of U.S.A., Uresti Senior Assistance Health Care. He is a past recipient of the Kleberg Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award.

Uresti praised Garza for being involved consistently in all aspects of the community. He compared Garza to well-known humanitarians that have contributed to the betterment of people nationally and internationally.

“He has been involved, not one hour, not one day, one month, or one year but consistently through his life,” said Uresti. “He has not rested on his laurels because this man is involved in all aspects of the community.”

“Everybody knows Willie J. Garza,” Uresti said. “The city of Kingsville declared the Willie J. Garza day on June 28, 1969 to honor him.”

Garza is a member of El Dorado Scholarship fund. Uresti named some of his community memberships. Garza was an active member of Knights of Columbus 2623, and member of the Kingsville General Assembly K.C. fourth degree.

He has been a board member of the Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts and a member of the Optimist Club and the United Fund. He was also a member of the Appraisal District, USO board member. He has served as president of the Kingsville Housing Authority and also president of A.D. Harvey PTA.

Garza was chairman of the Kleberg County (group) to elect Carlos Truan for state representative. He served as co-chairman of the group Kleberg County for Solomon Ortiz.

After Garza received the award, he thanked the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for this recognition. He spoke about his business career. Garza began working in the men’s department for Ragland’s in 1956. He also shared a tuxedo business with Mario Blanco, who owned cleaners, and together they opened Majestic Tuxedo Rental with little capital.

Later the owner of a new shopping mall asked Garza if he was interested in opening a men’s shop there. Garza had a difficult time trying to obtain a small business loan, but with the help of his childhood friend, Carlos Truan, a state representative, he obtained an SBA loan. The Man’s Shop opened August 16, 1973. Truan was present at the event.

Garza told the audience that despite financial obstacles he is still in business. The Man’s Shop, located at 817 S. 14th Street, offers a tuxedo rental, cleaners and complete bridal services.

“I have had my share of bad luck, but tell me who hasn’t,” he said.

“For those of you that know me know that during my younger days, I did my share of community involvement. I was there when we were just a minority. However, we were part of a group that laid the foundation so that today, it’s easier for others,” he stated.

“For all that I have received I thank God, my family, my wife Victoria Garza, who I have been married to for 20 years, and my friends that continue trading with me,” he said.

“My door is still open,” Garza said June 11. “I am 71 years old and plan to work the rest of my life.”

Aside from the presentations of awards, an installation of office was conducted by Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Mario Delgado. The new officers are Frank Ureno, president; Roberto Villarreal, vice-president; Maggie Salinas, secretary and Johnny Macreno, treasurer.

During the dinner, the Mariache Del Sol and the Kingsville Youth Ballet Folklorico provided the entertainment.

The Hispanic Chamber continues to be involved in many charitable and educational events. The latest project is the creation of a scholarship for Kleberg County students who wish to attend TAMUK. The Hispanic Chamber helps needy people and victims of disasters. Some of the business activities are conducting business seminars, networking mixers, ribbon cutting ceremonies, annual awards banquet. Community and cultural activities include National Night Out, including providing school supplies for children. They conduct a Deiz Y Seis De Septiembre celebration; At Risk Christmas Brunch, that includes gifts for junior high and high school students who attend. They are also involved with celebrations such as Dia de Los Muertos, and Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Their mission statement states: The Kleberg Hispanic Chamber of Commerce exists to promote networking among Hispanic businesses; create cultural awareness; leadership and full potential growth in a positive manner that unifies the community toward a common goal. Main Street