By Najera H.R. No. 169 77R5371 WMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives of the State of Texas 1-2 takes pleasure in welcoming many distinguished visitors from El 1-3 Paso on February 7, 2001, to celebrate El Paso Day in Austin; and 1-4 WHEREAS, During almost 400 years of history, El Paso sprang 1-5 from its original indigenous groups, the Spanish missions with 1-6 their accompanying priests and converts, and the newer Anglo 1-7 settlements into a modern 21st century city that is distinctly 1-8 bilingual, bicultural, and binational; and 1-9 WHEREAS, El Paso is the true International Gateway to the 1-10 Americas and with its partner city, Juarez, constitutes the largest 1-11 border community in the world; El Paso has a moderate climate, 1-12 friendly people, skilled workers, and a distinct culture, which 1-13 attracts new industries, businesses, and tourists; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Several successful businesses began their operations 1-15 here; among them are Old El Paso Foods, Continental Airlines, and 1-16 the Hilton Hotel chain; it is even said that El Paso resident 1-17 Francisco Pancho Morales created the margarita; and 1-18 WHEREAS, The home of many famous authors, artists, singers, 1-19 politicians, and members of the entertainment industry, El Paso 1-20 enjoys the advantages of a myriad of cultural attractions; the El 1-21 Paso Museum of Art, the El Paso Museum of History, the El Paso 1-22 Centennial Museum, several old missions, and the Ysleta del Sur 1-23 Pueblo Indian Tribe and Reservation, home of one of the three 1-24 recognized Native American tribes in Texas, offer knowledge and 2-1 entertainment; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Presently El Paso is home to the nationwide civil 2-3 rights group, the League of United Latin American Citizens; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Basketball Hall of Fame member Don Haskins is an El 2-5 Paso resident and a longtime basketball coach at The University of 2-6 Texas at El Paso; he moved to El Paso in 1961 and was already 2-7 established as a notable coach among his peers; he led the Miners 2-8 to seven Western Athletic Conference Championships and 14 National 2-9 Collegiate Athletic Association appearances, including the one in 2-10 1966 when his team won the title game by a score of 72-65; and 2-11 WHEREAS, The 1960s also saw El Paso musician Bobby Fuller 2-12 rocket to stardom as the lead singer of the Bobby Fuller Four; the 2-13 group's single "I Fought the Law" was a top ten hit, and remains 2-14 one of the decade's great rock-and-roll anthems; and 2-15 WHEREAS, Another outstanding citizen of El Paso is Rosa 2-16 Guerrero, founder of Rosa Guerrero Folklorico International; in 2-17 1974, she began the first folklorico dance group; in 1979, after 2-18 she retired from teaching, she formed the Rosa Guerrero Folklorico, 2-19 which she continues to run today, and remains interested in 2-20 education, supporting bilingual education and initiatives to help 2-21 dropout students; and 2-22 WHEREAS, One of the most famous authors in the country today 2-23 is an El Paso citizen, Cormac McCarthy; a writer who was not truly 2-24 discovered until recently, this author has written Suttree, Blood 2-25 Meridian, and his border trilogy, All the Pretty Horses, The 2-26 Crossing, and Cities of the Plains; and 2-27 WHEREAS, Another celebrated artist who is an El Paso citizen 3-1 is Jose Cisneros, famed for his depictions of early life in 3-2 Durango, Mexico, and for collaborations with other artists; he won 3-3 The University of Texas Paisano Fellowship in 1969; now, his works 3-4 are desired and collected all over the world; he was proclaimed a 3-5 Living Legend in 1997, and Governor and Mrs. George W. Bush honored 3-6 him with a reception and dinner in 1998 in the Governor's Mansion; 3-7 and 3-8 WHEREAS, The Texas State Artist for two-dimensional works for 3-9 1997-1998, Ernesto Pedregon Martinez, hails from South El Paso; a 3-10 self-taught artist, Mr. Martinez paints the everyday struggles of 3-11 the Mexican people; a muralist, he has painted military, religious, 3-12 and patriotic murals for hospitals, churches, and schools; 3-13 Mr. Martinez was designated Artist of the Year by the League of 3-14 United Latin American Citizens in 1975 and was selected by the 3-15 Texas Legislature as State Artist for 1997-1998; and 3-16 WHEREAS, The colorful traditions and rich history of El Paso 3-17 will guarantee its prominence in the tales of the Lone Star State, 3-18 and its citizens deserve to be proud of the extraordinary city 3-19 which they call home; now, therefore, be it 3-20 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 3-21 Legislature hereby extend a hearty welcome to El Paso visitors 3-22 coming to the State Capitol for El Paso Day on February 7, 2001; 3-23 and, be it further 3-24 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared as an 3-25 expression of the highest regard and esteem of the Texas House of 3-26 Representatives.