By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
More than 75 Del Rioans gathered under a brilliant blue winter sky in the city’s Star Park this
morning to begin a morning of events commemorating the life and message of Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr.
The first event was a mile-long walk from Star Park to the historic Val Verde County
Courthouse.
Participants began gathering in the park about 8:30 a.m. today, and before the group left to walk
to the courthouse, Pastor Paul Millsaps offered a prayer.
Those walking, including Mayor Al Arreola and his wife Myrella, made their way south on
North, then South, Main Street before turning east on Losoya Street and ending the march on the
expansive lawn in front of the county courthouse, where they were joined by other elected
officials, including County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr., County Court-At-Law Judge Sergio
Gonzalez, County Commissioner Pct. 3 Fernando Garcia, Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez,
Councilwoman Ernestina “Tina” Martinez, Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 J. Randel Dissler and
several elected members of the local public school district.
Owens welcomed those attending the events, then turned the mic over to Amy Haynes, an
elected member of the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District Board of
Trustees, who served as mistress of ceremonies.
Haynes immediately gave the mic back to Owens for his formal welcome address. Owens said
the legacy left by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which is being celebrated in communities across
the United States today, remains strong, and urged those present to stand up for what they believe
in.
“You have to stand up. If you believe that something’s wrong, stand up. For whatever that is, let
your presence be known,” Owens said, adding that differences of opinion are one of the things
that make America great.
Following the invocation, Haynes invited all of the young people and children attending the
event to lead everyone present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Afterward, Lonia Hayes and several of her friends entertained the audience with an a cappella
rendering of the song “Another Day’s Journey.”
Haynes then asked Michael Diaz, executive director of the Whitehead Memorial Museum, to
share with the group the history of Del Rio’s celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Diaz
noted the event was the brainchild of the late Joni Jordan, Diana Bejarano Salgado and the late
Ruben Gutierrez.
Haynes introduced the event’s keynote speaker, Tara Haynes Powell, who shared with those
attending the lessons she had learned from her father, Del Rioan William “Bill” Haynes.
Those who attended the event also heard from Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez and Ray Meza,
president of the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees,
and listened to a rendition of the National Anthem sung by Sian Kamila Meza, before joining
hands and ending the event by singing “We Shall Overcome,” a song that became synonymous
with the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com .
Star Park before the start of the MLK Day March, hosted by the city of Del Rio and city staff.
Following the prayer, those participating in the march walked south on South Main Street, then
turned east on Losoya Street to the Val Verde County Courthouse. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
