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