Pharr proclaims Mexican Independence Week and National Day of Remembrance for Murdered Victims

The Pharr City Commission issued two proclamations: one proclaiming Sept. 16–20, 2025, as Mexican Independence Week and another designating Sept. 25, 2025, as the National Day of Remembrance for Murdered Victims.

Ave Frontera, a local family-centered nonprofit, joined the commission to accept the Mexican Independence Week proclamation and invited the public to a community celebration on Sept. 20 at the DRC in south Pharr featuring cultural performances, folklorico dance and interactive workshops. An Ave Frontera representative described the nonprofit as “a vehicle for engagement” whose “goal is to instill cultural pride amongst our family members and our leaders.”

The commission also presented a proclamation for the National Day of Remembrance for Murdered Victims. Robert Garcia, who said his brother Rogelio Barrio Garcia was murdered in 2011, spoke about the annual candlelight vigil his organization holds; he said, “Every candle that we light has a story, a tragedy story, and we will make sure that those stories will never be forgotten.” The proclamation text read during the meeting cited Congressional resolutions recognizing a national day of remembrance and included data statements presented to the commission about recent homicide totals at the state and regional level as reported in the proclamation text.

Both proclamations were presented and photo opportunities held; these items were ceremonial recognitions and did not direct specific policy or budgetary actions by the commission.