De la Rosa inducted to RGV’s Walk of Fame

WESLACO — Buddy de la Rosa has always been active.

Whether the Weslaco mayor is on a cell phone talking about the future of the city, or signing paper work from his pharmacy, de la Rosa’s primary goal is always to serve the community in the best ability he can.

As a testament to that dedication, de la Rosa was inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame on Feb. 29 during a ceremony at Dodge Arena in Hidalgo. Event organizers said the walk is designed to honor outstanding citizens who have made significant contributions to the Rio Grande Valley.

“I just feel the need to look after my community,” de la Rosa said. “They (the city) puts the trust in me in my leadership role.”

De la Rosa’s ambition came from his father Roberto de la Rosa, and grandfather Antonio Valdez, who Buddy de la Rosa said was the first pharmacist in Weslaco. The de la Rosa family has been in the pharmacy business since 1920.

“I’ve always been one to volunteer things for people and the community,” Buddy de la Rosa said.

Throughout his life, Buddy de la Rosa has dedicated himself to various community organizations. In recognition to that dedication, Buddy de la Rosa was presented with a brick engraved “The Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame” with his full name “Hector ‘Buddy’ de la Rosa” by special guest U.S. Army Gen. Ricardo Sanchez - a Rio Grande City native who commanded troops during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“I was very honored to receive that honor from him,” Buddy de la Rosa said. “I’ve known him for about two years. I did not know him when he was in active duty. We all had him in our prayers. We knew he was the general…he was from the Valley, a Hispanic and from Rio Grande City.”

Buddy de la Rosa joins Valley legends Senator Lloyd Bentsen, Kika de la Garza, Robert Pulido and Irma Lerma Rangel on the Walk of Fame.

“All these people that are truly important people to the Valley,” Buddy de La Rosa said. “It’s stunning to me that I’ll be there. I’ve looked at the bricks and I’ve always admired the people that were there.

“As far as recognition from the public, yes, this is one of the greatest recognitions I’ve ever had,” Buddy de la Rosa said. “I’m very honored to have been selected in this very elite group of citizens of the Valley. It does ring out in my life.”

Buddy de la Rosa said he especially admires Rangel and her contributions to education in South Texas.

“She worked so hard to bring the very first profession school to Texas,” he said. “To have my name next hers just makes me feel very proud.”