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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Tejano Monument was unveiled on the grounds of |
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the State Capitol on March 29, 2012, and it has since become an |
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iconic symbol for the sweeping influence that Tejanos have had on |
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the story of Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, The idea for the monument was first proposed by |
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McAllen physician Cayetano Barrera, who visited the Capitol in 2000 |
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and noted that there were no statues that recognized the |
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contributions of Hispanic Texans; Dr. Barrera's concern was met |
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with widespread agreement, and soon, Mexican American leaders took |
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the first steps to bring the Tejano Monument to fruition by forming |
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a private fundraising committee, which went on to raise |
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approximately $2 million for the project's completion; a series of |
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legislative bills were passed to authorize, fund, design, and build |
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the Tejano Monument, and Armando Hinojosa of Laredo was contracted |
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to be the sculptor; and |
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WHEREAS, The Tejano Monument pays tribute to the legacy of |
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the state's Spanish and Mexican pioneers and settlers; it features |
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a 20-foot-long granite base and 10 bronze statues depicting a |
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Spanish explorer, a mounted vaquero, a pair of longhorn cattle, and |
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a ranchero family; each statue was sculpted with careful attention |
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to historical accuracy, and the monument is accompanied by five |
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bronze-relief plaques that trace the history of Tejanos from the |
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16th through the 20th centuries; the monument debuted to great |
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ceremony on March 29, 2012, with then-Governor Rick Perry and other |
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state officials and public speakers delivering addresses to a crowd |
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that included descendants of some of the founding Tejano families; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Though the original Tejanos arrived on Texas soil |
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for a multitude of reasons, they all played a crucial role in |
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shaping the narrative of the Lone Star State, and for nearly a |
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decade, the Tejano Monument has stood as a resplendent tribute to |
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Tejanos' contributions, their history, and the common heritage they |
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share with all Texans; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the dedication of the Tejano |
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Monument on the Texas Capitol grounds and extend sincere |
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appreciation to all those who were involved in the planning, |
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funding, design, and creation of this notable landmark. |