ENROLLED ORIGINAL
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
25-85
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
June 20, 2023
To recognize and honor Mr. Hugo Medrano for his excellence and commitment to promoting the
representation of Latino culture in the performing arts on the occasion of his passing on May 22,
2023.
WHEREAS, Hugo Medrano was born on April 17, 1943, in Argentina;
WHEREAS, Mr. Medrano attended Escuela de Teatro de La Plata, where he earned a bachelor’s
degree in theater;
WHEREAS, Mr. Medrano fled political violence in Argentina and moved to Spain to continue his
studies at the Teatro Estudio de Madrid;
WHEREAS, Mr. Medrano came to the United States in the 1970’s and made Washington, D.C.
his home;
WHEREAS, Mr. Medrano met his wife, Rebecca Read Medrano, at Teatro Doble, a bilingual
children’s theater in Washington, D.C.;
WHEREAS, Mr. Medrano Co-Founded Grupo de Artistas Latino Americanos (GALA) Hispanic
Theatre with his wife Rebecca in 1976;
WHEREAS, the GALA Hispanic Theatre is a National Center for Latino Performing Arts in
Washington, D.C. that develops and produces works that explore the breadth of Latino performing arts;
WHEREAS, the GALA Hispanic Theatre provides opportunities for the Latino artist, educates
youth, and engages the entire community in an exchange of ideas and perspectives;
WHEREAS, Mr. Medrano believed that exceptional artistry transcends language, class, and
cultural differences, and that all in our community deserve access to it and to have their stories told;
WHEREAS, Mr. Medrano was committed to nurturing young Latino talent and expanding the
appreciation of Latino and Hispanic theater in the U.S;
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 ENROLLED ORIGINAL
WHEREAS, Mr. Medrano acted in, directed, or produced nearly three hundred productions
throughout his tenure;
WHEREAS, Mr. Medrano received the Order of Queen Isabella in 2006 from King Juan Carlos I
for promoting Spanish culture;
WHEREAS, Mr. Medrano and his wife, Rebecca Medrano, were named Washingtonians of the
Year by the Washingtonian magazine in 2010;
WHEREAS, Mr. Medrano was recognized as a “Visionary” by the Mayor’s Arts Awards and
received an Immigrant Achievement Award from the American Immigration Council in 2014;
WHEREAS, Mr. Medrano passed away on May 22, 2023 at the age of 80 and is survived by his
wife Rebecca, his three sons Octavio, Juan Gabriel, and Alexis;
WHEREAS, Mr. Medrano has improved the lives of citizens of the District of Columbia through
his artistic vision and dedication to empowering Latino artists and sharing the Latino arts and cultures
with a diverse audience; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Medrano’s unforgettable legacy will live on through his artistic and cultural
contributions to the District of Columbia and the Latino community.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution
may be cited as the “Hugo Medrano Memorial Recognition Resolution of 2023”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors Hugo Medrano for his
service to the citizens of Washington, D.C. and his commitment to promoting the representation of Latino
culture in the performing arts and preserving the richness and diversity of Hispanic heritage for
generations that follow.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
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