R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Vikki Carr has long been an outstanding entertainer, 1-2 and her many notable achievements are truly worthy of special 1-3 recognition; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A native of El Paso, Ms. Carr began performing at 1-5 the age of four, singing "Adeste Fidelis" in a Christmas program; 1-6 in 1961 she signed her first record contract and launched what 1-7 would become a highly successful career, producing numerous 1-8 chart-topping hits, releasing more than 50 albums, and garnering 1-9 three Grammy Awards and a host of nominations; and 1-10 WHEREAS, During her career, Ms. Carr has performed for the 1-11 Queen of England, five United States presidents, wartime soldiers 1-12 in Vietnam, and sold-out audiences around the world; she has also 1-13 starred in acclaimed theater productions and been a guest star and 1-14 host on numerous television shows, including "The Bing Crosby 1-15 Show," "Mod Squad," "Baywatch," and the "Mrs. America" and 1-16 "Mrs. Woman of the World" pageants; and 1-17 WHEREAS, After the release of her 1972 album titled Vikki 1-18 Carr en Espanol she became one of the first United States Latinos 1-19 to cross over to the Spanish-language market; Ms. Carr has since 1-20 produced an award-winning body of Spanish-language albums that have 1-21 earned her the status of one of the most beloved recording artists 1-22 in the Latin world; and 1-23 WHEREAS, The myriad honors Ms. Carr has received include the 1-24 Nosotros Golden Eagle Award, Chicago's Ovation Award, YWCA Silver 2-1 Achievement Award, Founder of Hope Award, Key Girl Scouts of 2-2 America Award, and the career achievement award of the Association 2-3 of Hispanic Critics; in addition to being named American Guild of 2-4 Variety Artist's Entertainer of the Year, Hispanic Woman of the 2-5 Year, and the Los Angeles Times' Woman of the Year, she has also 2-6 been presented a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; and 2-7 WHEREAS, This world-renowned entertainer also devotes her 2-8 time to many notable charities, including the United Way, American 2-9 Lung Association, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and St. 2-10 Jude's Hospital; and 2-11 WHEREAS, Recipient of a doctorate in fine arts from St. 2-12 Edwards University and a doctorate in law from San Diego 2-13 University, Ms. Carr is a strong supporter of education, and in 2-14 1971 she established the Vikki Carr Scholarship Foundation that has 2-15 since awarded more than 280 scholarships totaling in excess of a 2-16 quarter of a million dollars to Latino students in California and 2-17 Texas; and 2-18 WHEREAS, With a career spanning four decades, Vikki Carr has 2-19 truly distinguished herself as an entertainer of supreme ability 2-20 and an exemplary humanitarian and civic leader, and it is indeed 2-21 fitting to pay tribute to her at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-22 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-23 Legislature hereby honor Vikki Carr for her myriad accomplishments 2-24 and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success and 2-25 happiness; and, be it further 2-26 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-27 prepared for Ms. Carr as an expression of high regard by the Texas 3-1 House of Representatives. Van de Putte Hunter _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 654 was adopted by the House on April 30, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House