1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 741 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 1-4 recognize Freddy Fender, an international music star and a 1-5 tremendous Texas talent who has delighted generations with his 1-6 recordings and performances; and 1-7 WHEREAS, Born Baldemar Huerta in the Rio Grande Valley town 1-8 of San Benito, Freddy was the son of migrant laborers; as a child 1-9 he had natural enthusiasm for music, and the Latino neighborhood 1-10 where he grew up provided him with a rich musical education; and 1-11 WHEREAS, His first experiences were with Tejano, as this 1-12 unique Texas blend of German polka and traditional Spanish music 1-13 was pervasive in his barrio, and later Freddy would be heavily 1-14 influenced by blues music; this diverse musical heritage would 1-15 give him incredible versatility as an artist, enabling Freddy to 1-16 make his mark on several genres; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Freddy learned to play music by watching and 1-18 listening to Tejano musicians at weddings and other neighborhood 1-19 events; in 1947, at age 10, he made his musical debut on KGBT 1-20 radio in Harlingen, playing "Paloma Querida"; and 1-21 WHEREAS, As a young artist, Freddy Fender rose to the top 1-22 of Mexican and South American music charts with his versions of 1-23 Elvis Presley's "Don't Be Cruel" and Harry Belafonte's "Jamaica"; 2-1 such success captured the attention of Hollywood and Freddy soon 2-2 signed a contract with Imperial Records; and 2-3 WHEREAS, As his career progressed, Freddy Fender had a 2-4 string of number-one records on both Billboard's pop and country 2-5 charts; his rock and roll and country versions of "Wasted Days and 2-6 Wasted Nights" were immensely popular with audiences, as were 2-7 numerous other hits including "The Next Teardrop Falls" and "Secret 2-8 Love"; and 2-9 WHEREAS, In the 1990s, Freddy began yet another successful 2-10 career when he worked as a vocalist/guitarist in two 2-11 Grammy award-winning groups, the Texas Tornados and Los Super 2-12 Seven; both musical acts enjoyed critical and popular success; 2-13 and 2-14 WHEREAS, A prolific and versatile artist who has endeared 2-15 himself to Tejano, country, and blues music fans alike, Freddy 2-16 has been honored countless times for his work and has enjoyed 2-17 multi-platinum sales worldwide; and 2-18 WHEREAS, In addition to his vocal career, Freddy has made 2-19 successful crossovers into film and television; his music has 2-20 been featured on the soundtracks of such films as She Came to 2-21 the Valley and Slums of Beverly Hills, and he himself has 2-22 appeared in productions like Milagro Beanfield War and Mi 2-23 Amigos; his distinct voice and celebrity have also garnered 2-24 him numerous other opportunities to work as a narrator and in 2-25 commercials; and 2-26 WHEREAS, A highly sought-after performer, Freddy has 3-1 entertained the world over and has played at the most prestigious 3-2 of venues, including the inaugural balls of President Bush and 3-3 President Clinton and Governor Ann Richards and at the White House 3-4 for President Jimmy Carter; and 3-5 WHEREAS, Today, at age 63, Freddy Fender remains an 3-6 enthusiastic performer, who never fails to delight audiences; 3-7 as an artist, he continues to explore new musical styles and has 3-8 recently completed a Bolero album with the Morales brothers that 3-9 will feature acoustic Mexican music; and 3-10 WHEREAS, Beloved by music fans around the globe, Freddy 3-11 helped introduce the world to the unique sounds of South Texas; 3-12 for his many accomplishments as an artist and for his steadfast 3-13 devotion to the people of his state, Texas will always be proud 3-14 of its native son Freddy Fender; now, therefore, be it 3-15 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-16 77th Legislature, hereby salute Freddy Fender for the many 3-17 years of success he has enjoyed as a musical entertainer and 3-18 wish him many more years of good fortune in life and in his 3-19 artistic endeavors; and, be it further 3-20 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 3-21 this extraordinary Texas musician as an expression of the 3-22 highest esteem of the Texas Senate. 3-23 Truan 3-24 Armbrister Gallegos Ogden 3-25 Barrientos Harris Shapiro 3-26 Bernsen Haywood Shapleigh 3-27 Bivins Jackson Sibley 3-28 Brown Lindsay Staples 4-1 Cain Lucio Van de Putte 4-2 Carona Madla Wentworth 4-3 Duncan Moncrief West 4-4 Ellis Nelson Whitmire 4-5 Fraser Zaffirini 4-6 Ratliff, President of the Senate 4-7 ______________________________________ 4-8 President of the Senate 4-9 I hereby certify that the above 4-10 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 4-11 on April 17, 2001. 4-12 ______________________________________ 4-13 Secretary of the Senate 4-14 ______________________________________ 4-15 Dean of the Senate