By Van de Putte                                        H.R. No. 654
         76R11957 GMW-D                           
                                 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.