S.R. No. 619
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 In Memory
1-3 of
1-4 Selena Quintanilla-Perez
1-5 WHEREAS, Selena Quintanilla-Perez, who as lead singer of
1-6 the internationally famous Tejano group "Selena y Los Dinos" was
1-7 instrumental in making the Texas Tejano industry vibrant and world
1-8 renowned, died March 31, 1995; and
1-9 WHEREAS, She was born on April 16, 1971, in Lake Jackson and
1-10 moved to Corpus Christi where in 1980, at the early age of nine,
1-11 she began working to help support her family as the lead singer for
1-12 "Selena y Los Dinos"; and
1-13 WHEREAS, In 1987 Selena attained her first success when she
1-14 was the recipient of the Female Vocalist of the Year and Performer
1-15 of the Year awards at the Tejano Music Awards; in 1991 Selena was
1-16 the first female Tejano recording artist to receive a Gold Record
1-17 with the song, "Ven Conmigo"; in 1993 she received the Grammy Award
1-18 for best Mexican American performance for her album "Selena Live";
1-19 in 1993 Selena won Female Singer, Song and Album-of-the-year from
1-20 "Premio Lo Nuestro," long recognized as the Latin equivalent of the
1-21 Grammys; in 1994 she debuted in New York, Los Angeles, Argentina,
1-22 and Puerto Rico and became the first female crossover Latin artist
1-23 signed to the SBK sister label to EMI Latin recording company; and
2-1 in 1995 Selena won six Tejano Music Awards including top female
2-2 vocalist for the eighth time and was nominated for her second
2-3 Grammy Award for her song "Amor Prohibido"; and
2-4 WHEREAS, Selena was equally as popular in Mexico as in
2-5 Texas, having been featured as one of the Giants of Latin Music in
2-6 one of Latin America's most-watched shows, "Siempre en Domingo,"
2-7 and appearing in the internationally watched soap opera
2-8 "Dos Mujeres, Un Camino"; and
2-9 WHEREAS, What Selena unprecedentedly accomplished at the
2-10 tender age of 23 is something "others spend a lifetime attempting
2-11 to achieve, and perhaps never do"; and
2-12 WHEREAS, Scores of fans are joining together to honor Selena's
2-13 one-of-a-kind talent not only in Texas, but around the world; and
2-14 WHEREAS, Selena's admirable career, reflecting her ambitions
2-15 and dedication, made positive strides in breaking through the
2-16 ethnic, cultural, age, and language barriers that divide people and
2-17 nations; and
2-18 WHEREAS, This Corpus Christi role model inspired and
2-19 represented the hopes and dreams of millions of followers who
2-20 collectively identified with her as the young girl who grew up in
2-21 "Molina," the west side of Corpus Christi, embodying the heart and
2-22 soul of all Mexican Americans; and
2-23 WHEREAS, Selena's fame had its humble beginnings in her
2-24 South Texas community in the midst of family birthday parties,
2-25 afternoon barbecues, and "quinceaneras," representing the essence
3-1 of South Texas culture; and
3-2 WHEREAS, The loss of this special friend, who proudly
3-3 demonstrated her hometown pride in every concert and accomplishment
3-4 achieved, will be felt by millions of fans and young Latinos who see
3-5 her not only as a peer, but as a sister who personified the coming
3-6 of their generation; and
3-7 WHEREAS, With strong family support, Selena was able to stay
3-8 away from the downfalls of the night life that plague many and
3-9 achieved wholesome, unprecedented fame; from the beginning Selena
3-10 showed herself to be a level-headed rising star, and in the words
3-11 of her father, Abraham Quintanilla, Jr., Selena "was starting to
3-12 bloom, not only as a person but as an artist"; and
3-13 WHEREAS, With all her stardom, fame, and fortune Selena never
3-14 forgot her humble beginnings and always took the time out of her
3-15 busy schedule to express the importance of an education to young
3-16 people; in her words while speaking to a young crowd in a "Stay in
3-17 School Jamboree" in San Antonio's Alamodome, "Please remember that
3-18 an education is important . . . You can do anything you put your
3-19 mind to. Remember, the impossible is always possible"; and
3-20 WHEREAS, Education was a major factor in her life; Selena
3-21 persevered in obtaining her high school diploma through a
3-22 correspondence course since her singing career kept her away from
3-23 school, and she was also pursuing a college degree through a similar
3-24 correspondence program; and
3-25 WHEREAS, Selena introduced an educational video for students
4-1 at Cunningham Middle School in Corpus Christi at a time when the
4-2 youth of America need the best leadership possible, when they should
4-3 be looking up to positive role models that will guide them to the
4-4 path of success by capitalizing on the best of their talents; and
4-5 WHEREAS, This civic-minded person was actively involved with
4-6 the business of building a thriving community by working with
4-7 organizations such as DARE, the Coastal Bend AIDS Foundation, and
4-8 others; and
4-9 WHEREAS, This enterprising young Tejana worked diligently over
4-10 the years, building a multi-million dollar singing career and more
4-11 recently establishing a boutique and hair salon in Corpus Christi
4-12 and San Antonio; and
4-13 WHEREAS, Selena's career was reaching new heights by breaking
4-14 into television, and most recently playing a singer in the soon to
4-15 be released film "Don Juan DeMarco" starring Marlon Brando and
4-16 Johnny Depp; and
4-17 WHEREAS, Selena was a rising star on the international music
4-18 scene, having performed in Guatemala and Argentina and drawing
4-19 crowds reserved for international rock stars in Mexico; and
4-20 WHEREAS, Texas' single most important resource is its
4-21 people, and the state's changing demographic composition presents
4-22 both promises and challenges for our young people in the future;
4-23 and
4-24 WHEREAS, Selena Quintanilla-Perez tragically lost her life
4-25 two weeks before her 24th birthday; and
5-1 WHEREAS, The legacy of this native Texan star will live in
5-2 the hearts and minds of countless children touched by her and
5-3 millions of adoring fans across the world; now, therefore, be it
5-4 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
5-5 74th Legislature, hereby honor the life, career, and personal
5-6 convictions of this self-made international star and acknowledge
5-7 the impact that this young Tejana has had across the world; and,
5-8 be it further
5-9 RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be prepared under
5-10 the official seal of the Senate and be sent to the surviving members
5-11 of her family: her husband, Chris Perez; her parents, Abraham and
5-12 Marcela Quintanilla; her brother, Abraham "A. B." Quintanilla III;
5-13 her sister, Suzette Arriaga; and her grandfather,
5-14 Abraham Quintanilla, Sr., as an expression of sympathy; "En paz
5-15 descanse, reina de la musica Tejana."
5-16 Truan Gallegos Madla
5-17 Barrientos Lucio Zaffirini
5-18 Luna
5-19 Armbrister Henderson Rosson
5-20 Bivins Leedom Shapiro
5-21 Brown Moncrief Sibley
5-22 Cain Montford Sims
5-23 Ellis Nelson Turner
5-24 Galloway Nixon Wentworth
5-25 Harris Patterson West
6-1 Haywood Ratliff Whitmire
6-2 Bullock, President of the Senate
6-3 ______________________________
6-4 Dean of the Senate
6-5 ______________________________ _______________________________
6-6 Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate
6-7 ______________________________ _______________________________
6-8 Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate
6-9 ______________________________ _______________________________
6-10 Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate
6-11 ________________________________
6-12 President of the Senate
6-13 I hereby certify that the
6-14 above Resolution was adopted by
6-15 the Senate on April 3, 1995, by
6-16 a rising vote.
6-17 ________________________________
6-18 Secretary of the Senate