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