By:  Alonzo                                            H.R. No. 460
       73R7537 BNL-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Multi-Ethnic Heritage Foundation will announce
    1-2  the results of its annual multicultural mask making competition at
    1-3  the Dallas Museum of Art on March 27, 1993; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, More than 200 area third graders have been anxiously
    1-5  awaiting the judging of this unique competition, which challenges
    1-6  them to design a mask that represents elements of Asian, African,
    1-7  European, Native American, and Hispanic cultures and heritage; and
    1-8        WHEREAS, The contest is open to third grade students in 26
    1-9  Dallas-Fort Worth area school districts, and participants may
   1-10  construct the masks using any medium they choose; the masks will be
   1-11  exhibited at the Dallas Museum of Art and at several other
   1-12  locations around Dallas; and
   1-13        WHEREAS, Founded by Denise Sharpton, the Multi-Ethnic
   1-14  Heritage Foundation works creatively to promote understanding and
   1-15  acceptance of all cultures; through programs such as the
   1-16  Multicultural Travel Education Program, the Cultural Fest, and the
   1-17  CUP Awards, members work at all levels of the community to raise
   1-18  multicultural awareness and preserve the heritage of multi-ethnic
   1-19  groups; and
   1-20        WHEREAS, In doing this, the foundation is fostering a greater
   1-21  sense of appreciation for the history and culture of the United
   1-22  States, a nation of immigrants bound by the ideals of freedom and
   1-23  liberty rather than by blood ties; it is particularly appropriate
   1-24  that an organization such as this has its roots in Texas, a state
    2-1  that has long celebrated its blend of European, Hispanic, Native
    2-2  American, African, and Asian influences, which Texans have forged
    2-3  into a proud, unique cultural identity; and
    2-4        WHEREAS, By exposing youths to the histories, arts, and
    2-5  philosophies of many different ethnic groups, the Multi-Ethnic
    2-6  Heritage Foundation is successfully dispelling stereotypes and
    2-7  prejudices surrounding other cultures and is celebrating instead
    2-8  the diversity of our own origins; it has focused attention on the
    2-9  common threads that join people of all cultures while acknowledging
   2-10  the unique contributions that each group has made to the world, and
   2-11  in doing this, has taken great strides toward building a more
   2-12  harmonious, inclusive, and tolerant society; now, therefore, be it
   2-13        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
   2-14  Legislature hereby commend the Multi-Ethnic Heritage Foundation's
   2-15  third annual multicultural mask making competition and extend to
   2-16  the organizers and participants warmest best wishes for many more
   2-17  years of continued success; and, be it further
   2-18        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-19  forwarded to the Multi-Ethnic Heritage Foundation as an expression
   2-20  of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.