Excerpts from speeches and newspaper article translations:

September 28, 2004 at the Meson of San Antonio, Guanajuato, Mexico (Ashland's sister city)

Speeches:
Guanajuato Mayor Arnulfo Vasquez:
"La Senora Chela," as we affectionately call her, is an admirable woman. She is a fountain of constant inspiration, and a living example of giving and passion.

Her inexhaustible spirit has helped her to aspire to many accomplishments throughout her life; personal, academic and international that has in turn had a positive effect on thousands of persons on whom she has dispensed her generous friendship.

Her work has not been easy, but she should be proud of the results, because in each success that she has had, she has, in turn, touched the hearts of many persons. She has directly and indirectly affected the lives of many people in Mexico and the US. For that reason we think her heart is doubled for giving to so many with that affection that she has inside of her."

Governor Juan Carlos Romero Hicks:
"Senora Chela has been a visionary who always has known that it is in relations of friendship and cultural diversity that through these, open and tolerant communities are forged. This is how the spirit of a person is enriched which in turn enriches a community and in this instance two communities that are very specially united.

She is the voice, the spirit and the soul which one always wishes to have at one's side. These qualities come from an unending fountain of giving and caring and understanding of others.

The Pepila de Plata represents valor and a sense of duty and the capacity to fulfill it. Today we honor her with this homage to recognize her academic vision, and her social contribution. It represents a testimony of thankfulness for the work of a lifetime for a program that is written in our hearts, the Amistad Program.

There is no doubt that through her presence and her love and friendship, our two universities and our two cities are the better for it. Thank you, Senora Chela, for the gift of your life and congratulations for this so merited acknowledgment that today the Lions Club has presented to you. We all unite ourselves profoundly to this acknowledgment."

Lions Club:
"The world speaks of peace, of sharing, when they speak of globalization, or when they mention that 'the world is a village.' These are abstracts and ideals that are indeed worthy. But Guanajuato and Ashland have demonstrated that the abstract can take form and they should be proud of that. Both Ashland and Guanajuato have participated in a special Odyssey and besides having brought out the best of their reciprocal counterparts in the exchange of sister cities 'People to People' program, our cities have succeeded in creating a sum of all of its parts. This total has become a living entity and shows itself in the form of constant activity, creativity, and more than anything, love. For institutions and programs, and cities are after all, things, but the spirit that drives these public and intimate exchanges is something bigger than life. It is what the world craves when it talks of mutual understanding and the joining of diverse cultures. We have it, we love it, we live it. We are Guanajuato and Ashland."

Senora Chela:
"It has been both a pleasure and a passion to be a part of a multi-thousand people-to-people exchange and participation in the past 36 years or so. This vision that turned into a reality with the help of many hearts and hands, has affected all levels of citizenry that includes academia, city officials, dentists, doctors, firemen, Chamber of Commerce and of course the Queen representatives from both cities. I know that the Lions Club is awarding me today, but many in Ashland and in this audience here today in Guanajuato feel that they too have been recipients. Recipients of something that is bigger than one person, and I accept this award in your name. It has been an honor to walk down this international road with all of you, my peers and colleagues, and friends."

Newspaper Articles:
"Chopper" - "Her untiring service and love for the people of Guanajuato has transcended borders. She is now an adopted Guanajuato citizen."

"Correo" - "Presented to Chela Tapp Kocks for her role as the founder of the academic and cultural exchange between Guanajuato and Ashland. For her enthusiastic promotion of student, professor and administrative exchanges, and the sister-city relationship between the two cities which involves all levels of citizenry."

"a.m." - "Now, for the first time, this prestigious award, El Pepila de Plata has been globalized and has crossed the borders of our country on the person of Chela T. Kocks, and we are convinced that she has fulfilled and will continue to fulfill the legacy of Pepila which means that 'there remains other Alhondigas to fire up with her love and enthusiasm.'"