Members of the oldest families in Texas unveiled the first monument on the Capitol grounds honoring the contributions of Tejanos.
Several thousand people, including many top officials, attended the ceremony on the south lawn of the statehouse to honor the role Tejanos played in establishing and developing Texas. Tejanos trace their heritage to the Spanish-speaking settlers who first brought European and cowboy culture to the state.
Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst both praised Tejanos for their past and continuing contributions to Texas.
At 525 square feet, the monument is among the largest on the Capitol grounds. Mounted on a 250-ton slab of pink granite, bronze statues depict a Spanish explorer, a vaquero on his mustang, a longhorn bull and cow and a family of settlers.
Sculptor Armando Hinojosa took 11 years to create the work.
A series of plaques will tell the story of Tejano history. See more photos of the monument from KXAN-TV in Austin.
