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.