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