A New Mexico Desert Flower Flor De Las Flores

Mr. Speaker, today I bring to your attention Al Hurricane, a musical legend and the Godfather of New Mexico music. Al Hurricane has brought Norteño music to audiences throughout the Southwest and Mexico for 50 years.

Al Hurricane was born on July 10, 1936 in Dixon, New Mexico. His birth name is Alberto Nelson Sanchez, but his mother gave him his famous nickname because he was like a little "Hurricane," always knocking things over at the dinner table and running through objects in his path.

He began singing when he was 3 and started playing the guitar when he was 5 years old. He was only 12 when he started to sing and play guitar at local restaurants. Throughout his 50 years of music, he formed several bands and played with legendary artists like Fats Domino, Marvin Gaye, Chuck Berry, Jimmy Clanton and Chubby Checker. He has recorded over 40 albums, tapes and CDs. His trademark "black eye patch" is a result of an injury he received in a serious automobile accident. Of course, he was on his way to play at a sold-out performance. The accident and the new eye patch could not stop his music.

While Al Hurricane is known for playing and performing music, like Flor de las Flores, or Sentimiento, we cannot forget his strong commitment to his family and his community. He has eight children, several of whom have followed their father's footsteps into the music business. He has won numerous public service awards such as The Lifetime Achievement Award given to him by the New Mexico Hispanic Awards Association and the Governor's Award for Music. He is currently the State Chairperson for the National Education Association-New Mexico's Read Across America.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me and all the residents of New Mexico in honoring and thanking Al Hurricane for 50 years of bringing joy into our lives through his music and his commitment to our community. Here's to another 50 years of Rancheras, Norteñas, and Corridos from the Godfather of New Mexico music, Al Hurricane.