The Laredo Pan American Round Table (PART) of Texas will host the 51st State Convention in Laredo March 27-30 at La Posada Hotel/Suites. Coordinators of the convention include Julia Ruhlman, Gloria Zuniga, Diana Czar, Olga Verduzco, and Polly Sue Stabile. "We hope to attract the largest numbers of delegates to the Gateway City since the inception of the PART in 1916 by Foundress Florence Terry Griswald," said publicity chair Cordelia Flores. The four-day event will include a dinner honoring the state board officers, scholarship notifications, general organizational meetings, and the election and installation of new state officers.
The idea of Pan Americanism grew from the awareness by Griswald and several of her friends to recognize the importance of alliances with our neighboring nations, in this case with Mexico. Griswald developed a great appreciation for the Pan American Union and as a result the guidelines for establishing such relationships were forged in the establishment of the PART.
Today the development of this continental sentiment is to develop partnerships among the Pan American nations and, and according to the PART charter, "to provide mutual knowledge, understanding and friendship among the peoples of the Western Hemisphere, and to foster movements towards a higher civilization, especially those affecting the women and children of these countries." In addition, the PART seeks to achieve an order of peace and justice, while promoting American solidarity with those in the region, strengthening collaboration among member states while defending their sovereignty, independence, and international integrity.
Griswald felt that because women play an integral part in the social nature of society, they were naturally suited to establish strong bonds of friendship and mutual understanding among member nations. They would be able to study various languages and cultural differences and likewise impart this knowledge of multiculturalism to their children. Given this model, it is assumed that lifelong friendship could and should develop among nations. Pan American tables now exist throughout the United States, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, and represent all the countries in the Organization of American States. "Although this is a state convention, various tables throughout the hemisphere will be in attendance," said Zuniga, credentials committee chair.
"The first table established in 1916 was at the Menger Hotel in San Antonio," said Flores. "The second table in the Western Hemisphere was established in Laredo in 1921 under the direction of Mrs. C. S. McKinney." The last time that the State conference was hosted in Laredo was in 1989 and previously in 1925, 1931, 1935, 1947, and 1973. Today, tables have been established across the Americas. The movement has strength in South and Central America, where tables continue to be formed. It is estimated that over 200 delegates will attend the State convention in Laredo, which will feature the scholarship recipients over the last year through the Pan American Student Forums. "Each year the Laredo Table offers several scholarships for high school and college students who are continuing in international studies in the Americas, seeking to build up the ideals of Pan Americanism," said Zuniga.
Members are reminded to register for the Pan American State Convention by calling Gloria Zuniga at 724-2903, or by fax at 724-8512.
By Paul de la Pena-Franceschi