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