R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Jose Antonio Burciaga on October 7, 1-2 1996, brought a great loss not only to his family but to the entire 1-3 artistic community, and at this time it is indeed appropriate that 1-4 we recognize the many contributions of this noted author, artist, 1-5 and civil rights activist; and 1-6 WHEREAS, A native of El Paso, Mr. Burciaga was born in 1940 1-7 and had the unique experience of growing up in the city's oldest 1-8 conservative temple, despite the fact that he and his family were 1-9 Catholic, as his father, Cruz Burciaga, had emigrated to the city 1-10 from Mexico and was hired to serve as the temple's caretaker and 1-11 janitor; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Jose Antonio Burciaga joined the Air Force after his 1-13 high school graduation, spending two years manning a radar station 1-14 in northern Iceland, and he went on to become an illustrator for 1-15 the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington, D. C.; and 1-16 WHEREAS, This unusual job brought him into contact with 1-17 Cecilia Preciado, and the couple soon fell in love and got married; 1-18 when his wife was offered a job as a top administrator with 1-19 Stanford University, the Burciagas moved to California, and it was 1-20 there that Mr. Burciaga came into his own as an artist and as an 1-21 activist; and 1-22 WHEREAS, In addition to serving as a passionate voice for 1-23 change at dozens of marches, rallies, and meetings, this remarkable 1-24 individual paid tribute to his Mexican roots through his painting 2-1 and writing; for nine years, he served as a mentor and role model 2-2 to countless students as a resident fellow at the university's 2-3 Chicano theme dormitory, Casa Zapata, and two of his most famous 2-4 murals, History of the Maiz and Last Supper of Chicano Heroes, 2-5 still grace the dormitory's walls; and 2-6 WHEREAS, He also created a number of pen-and-ink greeting 2-7 cards and designed a parody of a famous soft drink logo that urged 2-8 people to "Drink Cultura"; Mr. Burciaga was a gifted writer as 2-9 well, and he published several collections of essays and 2-10 autobiographical stories, including Spilling the Beans and Drink 2-11 Cultura among others; and 2-12 WHEREAS, In recognition of his prolific 25-year career in the 2-13 arts, Mr. Burciaga received numerous awards and honors, including 2-14 the prestigious National Hispanic Heritage Award for Literature; 2-15 his moving depictions of Mexican-American experiences touched and 2-16 inspired many hearts, and he is truly deserving of a special 2-17 memorial from the people of his home state; now, therefore, be it 2-18 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-19 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Jose Antonio 2-20 Burciaga and honor him posthumously as a Texas Treasure in light of 2-21 his exceptional contributions to the history and culture of the 2-22 Lone Star State; and, be it further 2-23 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-24 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-25 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-26 Jose Antonio Burciaga. Chavez _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1310 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on June 2, 1997. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House