LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas celebrated yesterday with some very special Laredoans.  He began the day with a visit with local centenarian Eva Flores Ramirez, whose 101^st birthday he celebrated in August of last year.  Salinas    contacted the White House and President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama sent a letter of congratulations and recognition to Mrs.   Ramirez, which Salinas delivered to her today.  Mrs. Ramirez was quite humbled and honored to receive the gift from President Obama and the       well-wishes from Mayor Salinas. 

  Surrounded by her family, Mrs. Ramirez, who arrived in the United States when she was 11 months old, remembered working hard in the fields,           starting at age 9, and later, making “carne guisada, frijoles y tortillas” for her beloved late husband of 42 years.  Mrs. Ramirez has eight children,      20 grandchildren, 58 great grand children, seven great-great grandchildren; and two great-great-great grandchildren. 

  Later he visited with the senior residents of the of Housing Authority of the City of Laredo Senior Citizens’ Home and Hamilton Seniors’ Residence to celebrate Three Kings’ Day, giving away blankets, home items and gift cards that were collected during his three-day stay on the roof of McDonald’s back in December.  Mayor Salinas always points out that during Christmas, there are many toy drives for children, but not many initiatives for the elderly.  He was happy to be able to celebrate the day with them, dancing and talking to them.

Mayor Salinas was joined by Guerra Communications Z-93 DJs Danny Boy and Alex Melchor “El Brodita,” who were also part of the McDonald’s     rooftop stint, and Raymond Bruni, mayor’s appointee to the Laredo Housing Authority Board. They also helped Mayor Salinas to distribute the        gifts to the residents, including the first winner, a resident from the Hamilton Seniors’ Residence.