A.D. Ibarra

-The US-Mexico

Border

The traditional Abrazo Ceremony was held on Friday in the middle of International Bridge I between The Honorable Ramsey English-Cantu, the Mayor of Eagle Pass and The Honorable Oscar Lopez Elizondo.

The event was organized by the Good Neighbor Council, an organization that works to breach the gap that the geography has created between our countries and to create the bond that should exist due to the culture that unites us as a people.

One of the most visible and vocal members of this council, Roberto Ruiz, who now serves Maverick County in the capacity of County Commissioner of Precinct 4, emceed the gala event which was symbolically held at the exact spot which divides our two nations, the US-Mexico Borderline on International Bridge I.

Bruce Ballou and Francisco Juaristi who were named Mr. Amigo for their respective sides of the border, were also on hand to address the gathering.

Ballou of course is the Director for Probation in the Tri-County Area and the visionary leader who made an immediate impact on the criminal justice landscape in Eagle Pass by coordinating the construction of the new Border Hope Juvenile Detention Center which is now up and running and beginning to generate much needed funds for Maverick County in only a year after being named by District Judges The Honorable Cynthia Muñiz and The Honorable Amado Abascal.

Juaristi of course is the founder of the Zócalo newspaper in Piedras Negras due to his philanthropical generosity to the poor people of Piedras Negras without the need for fanfare.  He has also been known to donate to schools and churches there and is greatly known for his altruism.