R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The University of Texas--Pan American (UTPA) 1-2 Folkloric Dance Company and Mariachi program have long been a 1-3 source of great pride to the university and citizens of South 1-4 Texas; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Founded in 1970 by Dr. Amilda Thomas, the UTPA 1-6 Folkloric Dance Company began as an extracurricular activity for 1-7 students interested in performing the traditional dances of Mexico; 1-8 in 1979 the program became a credited class in the department of 1-9 health and physical education, and over the course of the past two 1-10 decades, it has expanded and flourished, presenting concerts 1-11 nationwide and hosting numerous guest artists and consultants from 1-12 the United States, Mexico, and Spain; and 1-13 WHEREAS, The Folkloric Dance Company is currently under the 1-14 direction of Maria Oralia Munoz and Francisco Munoz and comprises 1-15 24 talented students; this estimable program not only furthers the 1-16 physical, mental, social, and cultural development of its dancers, 1-17 but also provides a valuable service to the community; and 1-18 WHEREAS, The UTPA Mariachi program was founded in 1988 by Dr. 1-19 Dahlia Guerra to promote the music and traditions of the Hispanic 1-20 culture while performing all styles of Mexican folk music; the 1-21 student musicians, many of whom go on to become mariachi 1-22 instructors, perform in authentic charro costumes and play 1-23 traditional mariachi instruments; and 1-24 WHEREAS, Members of this esteemed mariachi ensemble have 2-1 entertained audiences with authentic renditions of Mexican folk 2-2 music at many notable events; in addition to showcasing their 2-3 talents in a performance for the United States Congress and at an 2-4 international mariachi contest in Guadalajara, Mexico, they also 2-5 won first place for the past four years at the annual nationwide 2-6 competition for college and university mariachi programs held in 2-7 San Antonio; and 2-8 WHEREAS, In 1995 the Folkloric Dance Company and the Mariachi 2-9 program began a joint concert season, and this exciting 2-10 collaboration has produced a truly entertaining and distinctive 2-11 union of music and dance; the two distinguished groups also 2-12 traveled together to Ottawa, Canada, in 1996 to perform in the 2-13 Dieciseis de Septiembre Festival; and 2-14 WHEREAS, Both the Folkloric Dance Company and the Mariachi 2-15 program of The University of Texas--Pan American play a vital role 2-16 in the preservation of our state's Hispanic heritage, and it is 2-17 indeed fitting to honor all those associated with these talented 2-18 groups for their many years of dedication to the performing arts; 2-19 now, therefore, be it 2-20 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-21 Legislature hereby honor The University of Texas--Pan American 2-22 Folkloric Dance Company and Mariachi program and extend to the 2-23 groups' members sincere best wishes for continued success and 2-24 happiness; and, be it further 2-25 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-26 prepared for The University of Texas--Pan American Folkloric Dance 2-27 Company and Mariachi program as an expression of high regard by the 3-1 Texas House of Representatives. Gutierrez _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 510 was adopted by the House on April 23, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House