A&M International Hosts Preview of Documentary on Mexican-American War

Texas A&M International University will be the exclusive site for a preview of a new documentary on the Mexican-American War on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. in Bullock Hall 101.

The special preview of "The U.S.-Mexican War (1846-1848)" is presented by the University's College of Arts and Humanities in partnership with KLRN Public Television of San Antonio. After the preview presentation, members of the A&M International history faculty will conduct a panel discussion and question and answer session.

The event is free of charge and open to the public.

Dr. Jerry Thompson, dean of the College, said the new documentary is a groundbreaking series that addresses a war that transformed two nations and one border forever.

"This new four-hour series is a profound and thoughtful study of the way the people of two neighboring countries access, process, agree and disagree in the search for truth. Although the U.S.-Mexican War only lasted 782 days, its outcome transformed the boundaries of our neighboring countries, dramatically shifted the balance of world powers and shaped the destinies of each nation. We see profound changes from this event even today," Dr. Thompson explained.

Charles Vaughn, senior vice president of telecommunications for KLRN, said the PBS affiliate is proud to be able to preview the new documentary in Laredo.

"We have always enjoyed a special relationship with the people of Laredo who are among the largest supporters of public television in South Texas. This offering follows on the heels of previous events we've held in partnership with Texas A&M International University including a televised performance of The Three Tenors In Concert and the debut of a documentary on Los Matachines, which was primarily filmed in Laredo. We enjoy opportunities to provide such special events for our friends in Laredo," Vaughn explained.

A&M International professors and guests who will take part in the special discussion following the presentation of the half-hour installment of the documentary will include Dr. Stanley Green, professor of history; Dr. Jana Pisani, assistant professor of history; Dr. Carlos Cuellar, assistant professor of history; and Dr. Dennis Wynn, author of The Patricio Soldiers.

Dr. Thompson will moderate the discussion. Laredo native Tony Bruni, producer at KLRN, will be present to introduce the documentary.

The full four hour series will begin airing on KLRN Sunday-Monday Sept. 13-14. It will air in three parts: Sunday, September 13th at 8 p.m.; Monday, September 14th at 9 p.m.; and Wednesday September 16th at 9 p.m. The documentary was produced by KERA of Dallas-Fort Worth for PBS.

Of added interest, a special bilingual (English-Spanish) Internet WWW site affording visitors an interactive chronicle of the U.S.-Mexican War will be activated on Sept. 13.

The URL is www.pbs.org/kera/usmexicanwar

For additional information, please contact the University's Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at 326. 2180. University information can also be accessed via the University's WWW page at www.tamiu.edu

University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu