H.R. No. 416
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to
    1-2  recognize the Saint Vincent's Ballet Folklorico Dancers of Abilene;
    1-3  and
    1-4        WHEREAS, The idea for forming the dance company sprang from a
    1-5  desire on the part of Father Valladares, Martha Munoz, Geneva
    1-6  Lopez, and Crispina Monreal of Saint Vincent Pallotti Catholic
    1-7  Church to teach the children of the church the dances of Mexico;
    1-8  and
    1-9        WHEREAS, The group began its performances in 1982, under the
   1-10  direction of Nellie Pallarez, and with the help of the Abilene
   1-11  Cultural Affairs Council it quickly became well known in West
   1-12  Texas; and
   1-13        WHEREAS, These delightful young dancers perform at schools,
   1-14  parades, fund-raisers, private parties, festivals, nursing homes,
   1-15  and senior citizens centers; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, Extensive research has been done on the costumes and
   1-17  dances from the different regions of Mexico; the program includes
   1-18  dances from the states of Jalisco, Veracruz, Chihuahua, Tabasco,
   1-19  and Yucatan; and
   1-20        WHEREAS, During the summer, workshops are held to learn new
   1-21  dances and to study the costumes of the region from which the dance
   1-22  comes; the variety, color, and spectacle of the costumes are quite
   1-23  important in understanding the message of the dance; and
   1-24        WHEREAS, The members of the dance group vary in age from
    2-1  eight to 22; the perfecting of the dancing involves a prodigious
    2-2  amount of work, but the dancers say that the smiles, laughter, and
    2-3  applause make all the effort worthwhile; and
    2-4        WHEREAS, The exhibitions of the folk dances from Mexico
    2-5  enable people of Mexican American heritage to feel a sense of pride
    2-6  in their ancestry and help others to better understand the Mexican
    2-7  American culture; now, therefore, be it
    2-8        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the  74th
    2-9  Texas Legislature hereby commend the Saint Vincent's Ballet
   2-10  Folklorico Dancers and those who contribute to the success of the
   2-11  group's performances; and, be it further
   2-12        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-13  prepared for the group as an expression of high regard by the Texas
   2-14  House of Representatives.