By Menendez H.R. No. 476 77R7226 MMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The people of San Antonio and visitors from around 1-2 the world are celebrating Fiesta San Antonio from April 20 to April 1-3 29, 2001, in a 10-day extravaganza of merrymaking and recreation 1-4 that celebrates this city's rich and diverse heritage; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Fiesta originated in 1891 when a group of women 1-6 organized a parade to commemorate the heroes of the battles of the 1-7 Alamo and San Jacinto; styled the Battle of Flowers Parade, the 1-8 event germinated into one of the major festivals held in the United 1-9 States today; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Fiesta comprises more than 150 events organized by 1-11 over 90 nonprofit organizations and involving some 75,000 1-12 volunteers; the Fiesta San Antonio Commission, a privately funded 1-13 entity, coordinates this vast array of activities; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The Battle of Flowers Parade continues to be one of 1-15 the Fiesta highlights; over the years it has been joined by other 1-16 features that have become enormously popular traditions as well; 1-17 and 1-18 WHEREAS, Among these are the Fiesta Flambeau Parade, the 1-19 largest illuminated parade in the country, and the Texas Cavaliers' 1-20 River Parade, with Fiesta's King Antonio in attendance; a medieval 1-21 Spanish folk tradition inspired the inception of another royal 1-22 figure, El Rey Feo, the Ugly King; the organizations sponsoring 1-23 both monarchs raise money for youth charitable causes; and 1-24 WHEREAS, The four-day-long celebration "A Night in Old San 2-1 Antonio" takes place in the restored 17th-century quarter known as 2-2 La Villita; presented by the San Antonio Conservation Society, this 2-3 entertainment recreates the ethnic dress, food, and music of 2-4 early-day San Antonio; and 2-5 WHEREAS, The multitude of other attractions include Fiesta 2-6 San Fernando and the Mission San Jose Spring Fiesta, Fiesta River 2-7 Art Show, and Pilgrimage to the Alamo, in addition to sports 2-8 tournaments, a historic neighborhood tour, and music concerts; 2-9 Fiesta opens this year with an all-day conference at San Antonio 2-10 College on "The Ethnic Community in History"; and 2-11 WHEREAS, Fiesta San Antonio is a joyous occasion that unites 2-12 the residents of this historic city in an exuberant toast to their 2-13 multicultural heritage, and the proceeds of this dazzling festival 2-14 benefit numerous worthy causes; now, therefore, be it 2-15 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-16 Legislature hereby commemorate April 20-29, 2001, as Fiesta San 2-17 Antonio and commend all those who bring this mammoth enterprise to 2-18 fruition for their outstanding public spirit.