Kay Bailey Hutchison: “It is with much pride that I rise today to recognize the 160 members of the Coronado High School Thunderbird Band who…”

“It is with much pride that I rise today to recognize the 160 members of the Coronado High School Thunderbird Band who will be representing North America in the Russian Republic's Freedom Day Parade this May. These gifted student musicians from El Paso will travel to Moscow this spring to celebrate the rise of democracy there and to share their extraordinary musical talents with the people of Russia. It was last September when Richard Lambrecht, the students' band conductor, received the phone call from the Russian Ministry of Culture, inviting the Coronado students to perform in the Freedom Day celebration held annually in Red Square. Since that moment, the students, their parents, and their avid supporters have been working tirelessly, day and night, to raise the necessary funds for this once-in-a-lifetime trip and to maintain their exceptional grade point averages. This recognition is a fitting testament to the dedication, character, and talent of these Texas teenagers.”