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