The City of Pittsburg graciously welcomed Mayor Elias Octavio Iniguez of Yahualica, Mexico in a ceremony on Friday by offering him the key to our city.
Many Pittsburg residents immigrated from Yahualica, a town of 40,000 in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, which prompted the cities to form a connection.
At the ceremony, Yahualica was honored for the second time in Pittsburg. Last year, more than 1,000 local residents marched from Bay Point to Pittsburg to welcome Mayor Iniguez. This year the welcoming was even more of a success.
“This key makes you a citizen of the City of Pittsburg,” said Mayor Johnson. “We hope you will think of us often and remember this ceremony. Maybe someday we can visit your city.”
Johnson also gave Iniguez two flags – one from the City of Pittsburg and the other a U.S. flag – as tokens of camaraderie.
Maria Yajaira, one of many Pittsburg residents with relatives in Yahualica, translated for Mayor Iniguez during the acceptance speech.
The ceremony proved a touching reminder of our city’s sense of community, on both a local and global scale.
Community Coverage by LMC Student Jennifer Wadsworth
Intern Editor for pittsburgca.net |