By Berlanga                                            H.R. No. 814

         75R14102 BNL-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, On May 5, 1997, Texans and many other Americans will

 1-2     join their neighbors south of the Rio Grande in celebrating Cinco

 1-3     de Mayo, one of the most prominent and festive holidays in Mexican

 1-4     culture, and this date also provides a fitting opportunity to

 1-5     recognize the 25th anniversary of the Mexican American Legislative

 1-6     Caucus; and

 1-7           WHEREAS, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the famed Battle of

 1-8     Puebla; fought on May 5, 1862, the battle saw Texas-born General

 1-9     Ignacio Zaragoza lead a small band of Mexican forces against

1-10     invading French troops; although the odds were clearly against

1-11     them, the Mexican soldiers prevailed, and this key victory united

1-12     the people of Mexico in their opposition to foreign domination and

1-13     control; and

1-14           WHEREAS, The history of the Mexican American Legislative

1-15     Caucus is similarly dramatic; it was established by eight members

1-16     in 1967 and was originally known as the Mexican American

1-17     Delegation; initially, the group met with stiff resistance, but

1-18     through teamwork, perseverance, and a strong belief that what they

1-19     were doing was right, they became an effective and powerful voice

1-20     for Texas' Hispanic citizens; and

1-21           WHEREAS, By 1973, the group had grown to include 17 members,

1-22     and the name was changed to the Mexican American Legislative

1-23     Caucus; today, the caucus has 33 members, including several

1-24     non-Hispanic legislators who  represent districts with significant

 2-1     Hispanic populations, and many of its members serve in powerful

 2-2     positions as committee chairs and vice chairs; and

 2-3           WHEREAS, This year's membership includes: Representatives Leo

 2-4     Alvarado, Hugo Berlanga, Lon Burnam, Norma Chavez, Henry Cuellar,

 2-5     Diana Davila, Harryette Ehrhardt, Jessica Farrar, Kino Flores, Pete

 2-6     Gallego, Domingo Garcia, Roberto Gutierrez, Judy Hawley, Christine

 2-7     Hernandez, Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, Tracy O. King, John Longoria,

 2-8     Vilma Luna, Ruth Jones McClendon, Paul Moreno, Rene Oliveira, Dora

 2-9     Olivo, Joe Pickett, Robert Puente, Richard Raymond, Art Reyna,

2-10     Elvira Reyna, Alec Rhodes, Gilbert Serna, Jim Solis, Gerard Torres,

2-11     Leticia Van de Putte, and Miguel Wise; and

2-12           WHEREAS, With its rich history and colorful pageantry, Cinco

2-13     de Mayo celebrates one of the finest moments in Mexico's past, a

2-14     moment when a vastly outnumbered group of spirited individuals held

2-15     fast to their beliefs and saw the spirit of democracy triumph;

2-16     today, the members of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus are

2-17     carrying on this proud tradition, and they are helping to create a

2-18     brighter future for all Texans, regardless of their color; now,

2-19     therefore, be it

2-20           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-21     Legislature hereby commemorate both Cinco de Mayo and the 25th

2-22     anniversary of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus.