By:  Barrientos                                  S.R. No. 124
    1-1                           SENATE RESOLUTION
    1-2        WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to
    1-3  join with the Poets Media Network in recognizing Austin poet
    1-4  Akwasi Evans for his worthy artistic contributions; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, A famed poet, publisher, political activist,
    1-6  and champion of human rights, Akwasi Evans has dedicated his
    1-7  public and private life to furthering the spirit and causes of
    1-8  egalitarianism; and
    1-9        WHEREAS, Through his poetry and politics, he expresses
   1-10  his ultimate vision of human liberation, condemning racism and
   1-11  espousing the need for unity among all people; and
   1-12        WHEREAS, Selected in 1990 for the DeWitty-Overton Award
   1-13  by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People,
   1-14  Akwasi Evans became well known throughout the City of Austin when
   1-15  he was instrumental in the passing of a city ordinance requiring
   1-16  the divestment of business with South Africa; and
   1-17        WHEREAS, Editor and publisher of the weekly newspaper
   1-18  Nokoa, Mr. Evans has consistently taken aim at South Africa's
   1-19  apartheid policies and, on the local level, has encouraged Hispanics
   1-20  and African-Americans in Austin to work together; and
   1-21        WHEREAS, Akwasi Evans strongly believes that poetry is one
   1-22  of the most effective means of communication, and he has devoted
   1-23  time and energy to building and supporting the populist writing
    2-1  community in the State of Texas; and
    2-2        WHEREAS, He uses his poetry to skillfully express his
    2-3  personal philosophy and political dreams, and his fervor to
    2-4  reach ethnically diverse audiences and bring the spirit of
    2-5  universality to the community is evident in such beautifully
    2-6  written poems as "For Hyphenated Americans"; and
    2-7        WHEREAS, A remarkably talented poet, Akwasi Evans uses
    2-8  his superior craftsmanship to further the causes of world peace
    2-9  and humanitarianism and to manifest his own deep and compelling
   2-10  concern for his fellowman and for all who have suffered injustice;
   2-11  and
   2-12        WHEREAS, The State of Texas is honored to have among its
   2-13  citizens such a rare and gifted artist and political voice; now,
   2-14  therefore, be it
   2-15        RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
   2-16  73rd Legislature, hereby express appreciation to Akwasi Evans
   2-17  for his poetic and humanitarian contributions to his community
   2-18  and state and for his many worthy accomplishments; and, be it
   2-19  further
   2-20        RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for him
   2-21  as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
   2-22                                 _____________________________________
   2-23                                        President of the Senate
   2-24                                      I hereby certify that the
   2-25                                 above Resolution was adopted by
    3-1                                 the Senate on February 1, 1993.
    3-2                                 _____________________________________
    3-3                                        Secretary of the Senate
    3-4                                 _____________________________________
    3-5                                         Member, Texas Senate