Abelardo Valdez. our Nations Chief of Protocol. The theme of the delightful evening was "Portrait of an American Dream." truly the proper designation of Ambassador Valdez career to this time. As a boy in Floresville. he knew the depths of poverty and was a migrant farm worker. yet he earned a splendid education. served as a military aide to President Lyndon B. Johnson and after a private law practice. became head of the LatinAmerican Division of the Agency for International Development. and is now our Chief of Protocol in the Department of State. We who are proud to be his friends were much impressed by his attitude.