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