1-1                                     1
 1-2                         SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1032
 1-3                                  In Memory
 1-4                                     of
 1-5                               Americo Paredes
 1-6           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins with
 1-7     The University of Texas and the Hispanic community in mourning
 1-8     the death of Americo Paredes, who died May 5, 1999; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, This groundbreaking folklorist, professor, novelist,
1-10     and poet spent his 33-year career inspiring a generation of
1-11     intellectuals and folklorists; and
1-12           WHEREAS, Mr. Paredes dedicated his life to studying the
1-13     folklore of what he called "Greater Mexico"; a rigorous scholar and
1-14     teacher, he showed how unique the Mexican American culture is; and
1-15           WHEREAS, He pioneered a Mexican American intellectual
1-16     tradition and helped found the folklore program at
1-17     The University of Texas; his stalwartness was instrumental in the
1-18     establishment of the Mexican American Studies Center and the Center
1-19     for the Intercultural Studies of Folklore and Ethnomusicology; and
1-20           WHEREAS, With a calm and forceful style of activism,
1-21     Mr. Paredes was not afraid to question the conventional views of
 2-1     history; often at political odds with the university administration,
 2-2     this influential scholar forged ahead with his work, challenging
 2-3     official versions of Texas history; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, It was not until the 1980s that Americo Paredes
 2-5     was given the recognition he so deserved; he won the
 2-6     Raymond Dickson, Alton C. Allen and Dillon Anderson Centennial
 2-7     Professorship Emeritus, the Charles Frankel Prize from the
 2-8     National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Order of the
 2-9     Aztec Eagle, the highest prize given by Mexico to non-Mexicans;
2-10     and
2-11           WHEREAS, Having dedicated most of his life to dispelling
2-12     myths about Mexican American culture, he leaves a legacy that will
2-13     immortalize him for generations to come; now, therefore, be it
2-14           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-15     76th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the family
2-16     of Americo Paredes:  his wife, Amelia; his three sons, Americo, Jr.,
2-17     Vince, and Alan; his daughter, Julie; and his brother, Lorenzo; and,
2-18     be it further
2-19           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the
2-20     members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the
2-21     Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so
2-22     in memory of Americo Paredes.
2-23                                                              Barrientos
2-24                                  ______________________________________
2-25                                         President of the Senate
2-26                                       I hereby certify that the above
2-27                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
2-28                                  on May 20, 1999, by a rising vote.
 3-1                                  ______________________________________
 3-2                                         Secretary of the Senate
 3-3                                  ______________________________________
 3-4                                           Member, Texas Senate