78S30041 MMS-D

By:  Rodriguez                                                  H.C.R. No. 15 



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, The State of Texas has customarily recognized a 
variety of official state symbols as tangible representations of 
the state's history and culture; and
	WHEREAS, In keeping with this custom, the conferring of 
official recognition on the Texas Salsa Music Festival shall pay 
suitable tribute both to a musical genre that is immensely popular 
within the state and to a festival that is the premier Latin music 
festival in Texas; and
	WHEREAS, While closely identified with the state's Latino 
culture, salsa enjoys popularity among Texans from many 
backgrounds; indeed, the very qualities that define salsa -- its 
fusion of different traditions and its exhilarating energy -- 
reflect prominent facets of the heritage and character of the Lone 
Star State; and
	WHEREAS, The largest salsa music festival in Central Texas, 
the Texas Salsa Music Festival is a family-oriented event that 
draws a diverse crowd of more than 5,500 people; all Latin American 
countries are represented at the festival, and many people in the 
audience wear clothing that is representative of their respective 
countries of origin; and
	WHEREAS, Some of the internationally renowned performers 
that have appeared at the festival include ALBITA, Puerto Rican 
Power, Larry Harlow, Yomo Toro, Junior Gonzales, Jimmy Bosch, and 
Son de la Loma; and
	WHEREAS, The 2003 Texas Salsa Music Festival is being held 
October 12 at Waterloo Park in Austin and is being produced in 
conjunction with the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences; 
in addition to offering attendees some of the most danceable music 
found anywhere, attractions include international foods, cultural 
exhibits and displays, activities for children, and free salsa 
dance lessons; and
	WHEREAS, Devoted to celebrating the diversity of Latin 
American cultures, the festival is also designed to raise public 
awareness of diabetes, a disease for which Hispanics are at 
especially high risk; and
	WHEREAS, Since its emergence in the mid-20th century, salsa 
has captivated legions of listeners and taken many a dance floor 
across Texas by storm, and the Texas Salsa Music Festival 
constitutes an outstanding asset to the Lone Star State; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas, 
3rd Called Session, hereby designate the Texas Salsa Music Festival 
as the official salsa music festival of Texas.