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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Residents of El Paso were profoundly saddened by the |
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loss of beloved educator Zelene Blancas, who passed away on |
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December 28, 2020, at the age of 35; and |
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WHEREAS, The daughter of Victor A. Blancas and Gloria Luna, |
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Zelene Blancas was born on November 19, 1985; she grew up with a |
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brother, Mario, and was like a second mother to him, even though she |
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was just four years older; eventually, she became the devoted aunt |
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of one niece, Natalia; she also cherished her two canine "babies," |
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Rocky and Chico; and |
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WHEREAS, Ms. Blancas majored in bilingual, multilingual, and |
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multicultural education at The University of Texas at El Paso; |
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after completing her bachelor's degree, she went on to earn a |
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master's degree in bilingual and multilingual education from Texas |
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Tech University; and |
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WHEREAS, A gifted educator with a decade of experience, |
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Ms. Blancas taught first grade at Dr. Sue A. Shook Elementary |
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School, where many of her students were English language learners; |
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she focused on social and emotional development as well as |
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academics, encouraging compassion and positive relationships; |
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fostering a nurturing environment, she let the children choose from |
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a menu of good morning and goodbye salutes, including hugs, |
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handshakes, and high fives, and when she posted a video of them |
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happily sharing such friendly greetings, it touched hearts across |
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the country, receiving more than 22 million views on Twitter; and |
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WHEREAS, In the wake of the mass shooting in El Paso, |
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Ms. Blancas helped the school heal through a collaboration with |
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Pinksocks Life, and she volunteered with the organization, which |
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promotes kindness and empathy; when her campus switched to remote |
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learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she supported her |
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students by delivering care packages to each one; in her free time, |
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she was writing and illustrating a children's book; the Socorro |
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American Federation of Teachers placed a memorial bench and plaque |
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on the Shook Elementary campus in her honor in February 2020; and |
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WHEREAS, Zelene Blancas brightened the world for all who were |
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fortunate enough to know her, and although she is greatly missed, |
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her warmth, generosity, and optimism will remain a lasting source |
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of inspiration; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Zelene Blancas and |
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extend sincere sympathy to all who mourn her passing; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Zelene |
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Blancas. |