1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 583
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes great pride
 1-4     in recognizing the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico on its
 1-5     25th anniversary year of artistic excellence; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, This outstanding group was established by
 1-7     Mrs. Martinez to preserve the cultural heritage of Hispanic
 1-8     young people who grew up in West Dallas; Anita Martinez knew
 1-9     that teaching young men and women skills of which they could
1-10     be proud would motivate them and help to keep them
1-11     occupied and out of trouble; and
1-12           WHEREAS, The dance program addresses social issues
1-13     confronting inner-city youth, who usually have no appropriate
1-14     place to expend their energy; with a gathering place to express
1-15     their talent, the young people can cultivate their cultural
1-16     heritage in a safe, supervised, and caring environment; and
1-17           WHEREAS, The first dancers were neighborhood children; by
1-18     1990, the company produced its first season of professional
1-19     dances employing dancers trained in Mexico; many of today's
1-20     professional dancers were members of the Children's Ensemble
1-21     or the Junior Company; and
1-22           WHEREAS, Bringing the legends of Mexico alive through
1-23     stunning presentations, the dancers of the Anita N. Martinez
 2-1     Ballet Folklorico, Incorporated, serve as ambassadors of the
 2-2     Hispanic culture and for the citizens of Dallas; and
 2-3           WHEREAS, Striving to increase the awareness of ballet
 2-4     folklorico as an educational art form reflecting history,
 2-5     geography, and an awareness of the Hispanic culture, the dance
 2-6     company's performances help young people of all races to achieve
 2-7     recognition of the Hispanic heritage which has so enriched our
 2-8     modern society; annually, the company performs for more than
 2-9     350,000 people at several different kinds of functions including
2-10     community festivals, fundraisers, and other charitable events; and
2-11           WHEREAS, Enriching the community through the medium of ballet
2-12     folklorico has been the life's dream of Anita N. Martinez, and
2-13     her company has reached that goal; now, therefore, be it
2-14           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-15     77th Legislature, hereby commend and applaud the Anita N. Martinez
2-16     Ballet Folklorico as it celebrates its 25th anniversary year of
2-17     brilliant success; and, be it further
2-18           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an
2-19     expression of the highest regard and esteem of the Texas Senate.
2-20                                                                    Cain
2-21                                  ______________________________________
2-22                                          President of the Senate
2-23                                       I hereby certify that the above
2-24                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
2-25                                  on March 27, 2001.
2-26                                  ______________________________________
2-27                                          Secretary of the Senate
2-28                                  ______________________________________
2-29                                           Member, Texas Senate