1-1                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 258
 1-2           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas congratulates
 1-3     Patricia Esparza for her selfless work in the barrios of
 1-4     El Paso, Texas; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Touching the lives of many young Hispanic girls in
 1-6     the barrio through her formation of an award-winning dance troop
 1-7     called Las Mariposas, or butterflies, Patricia Esparza instills
 1-8     in her young charges self-esteem, hope for their futures, and a
 1-9     love of dance; and
1-10           WHEREAS, Patricia Esparza also unknowingly provides these
1-11     girls with, not only a role model of a woman who was from the
1-12     barrio and had become a successful professional, but also with
1-13     a role model of a selflessly giving, loving woman who enjoys
1-14     helping others who need her help; and
1-15           WHEREAS, Residents of public housing in El Paso were elated
1-16     when Patricia Esparza turned her attention to their plight, as
1-17     well, because the results were that they received help through
1-18     programs that offered job training, problem solving, education,
1-19     and the ability to have their own homes; their newfound chances
1-20     to become economically independent changed the lives of many
1-21     formerly hopeless El Paso residents; and
1-22           WHEREAS, Because of her success in inspiring change and
1-23     hope in the barrios as a social worker, volunteer, and activist,
1-24     Brian O'Connell included Patricia Esparza in his book, Voices
 2-1     from the Heart, as one of his 25 examples of the 100 million
 2-2     volunteers who make a difference in the United States; and
 2-3           WHEREAS, USA Today has also written about
 2-4     Patricia Esparza's work for which she was awarded a presidential
 2-5     citation and invited to appear as a guest on the Oprah Winfrey
 2-6     Show; now, therefore, be it
 2-7           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
 2-8     76th Legislature, hereby commend Patricia Esparza for her
 2-9     distinguished contributions to the El Paso community; and, be
2-10     it further
2-11           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
2-12     Patricia Esparza as a heartfelt expression of gratitude and high
2-13     regard of the Texas Senate.
2-14                                                               Shapleigh
2-15                                  ______________________________________
2-16                                          President of the Senate
2-17                                       I hereby certify that the above
2-18                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
2-19                                  on February 22, 1999.
2-20                                  ______________________________________
2-21                                          Secretary of the Senate
2-22                                  ______________________________________
2-23                                           Member, Texas Senate