By: Rodriguez H.R. No. 806 73R11788 LBD-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The summer of 1993 will be filled with music, dance, 1-2 and excitement as Synyega, a highly talented troupe of 26 young 1-3 dancers from Vorkuta, Russia, displays its remarkable skill and 1-4 unique dance style before audiences throughout Texas and at the 1-5 United Nations Global Youth Forum in Boulder, Colorado; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Vorkuta, a city north of the Arctic Circle in the 1-7 Komi region of the Russian tundra, once served as an icy work camp 1-8 where more than one and a half million political dissenters were 1-9 sent; here, many of Russia's greatest artistic talents were exiled 1-10 in order to prevent them from speaking out against the Stalin 1-11 regime; and 1-12 WHEREAS, In the midst of these torturous conditions, artistic 1-13 expression evolved as camp commanders promoted competition among 1-14 the prisons to determine which had the most talented choirs, 1-15 theater companies, and dancers; today, this tradition of artistic 1-16 interpretation lives on, providing local youth with a positive 1-17 outlet for emotional expression; and 1-18 WHEREAS, The region has only recently opened its doors to 1-19 foreigners and allowed those who have been living in exile to 1-20 experience a host of new opportunities by traveling to other 1-21 countries; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Visiting the United States for the second year in a 1-23 row, Synyega, meaning "little flower of the North", has gained 1-24 remarkable popularity from its appearances; last year's tour drew 2-1 record crowds as people from throughout the state gathered to enjoy 2-2 the troupe's outstanding productions; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Being from an area where coal mining is prevalent 2-4 and nuclear testing has been performed, the members of Synyega are 2-5 environmentally concerned citizens who share their extraordinary 2-6 talent with others in part to increase environmental awareness and 2-7 make this a safer, cleaner world for citizens of all nations; under 2-8 the expert guidance of their choreographer, Nadejda Tcharikova, 2-9 these gifted youth also promote cultural awareness through an 2-10 exciting array of traditional dances from cultures around the 2-11 world; and 2-12 WHEREAS, The citizens of Texas proudly salute this 2-13 distinguished ensemble of dancers for their many accomplishments 2-14 and commend them for the worthy message they carry with them as 2-15 they travel from place to place, encountering new cultures and 2-16 traditions and forming lasting ties of friendship with those they 2-17 meet along the way; now, therefore, be it 2-18 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-19 Legislature hereby welcome the members of Synyega to the Lone Star 2-20 State and extend to them sincere best wishes for a successful and 2-21 memorable stay in Texas; and, be it further 2-22 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-23 prepared for Synyega as an expression of high regard by the Texas 2-24 House of Representatives.