SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 669


In Memory

of

Boyd Vance


	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens
of Austin in mourning the loss of Boyd Vance, who died April 9, 2005,
at the age of 47; and

	WHEREAS, Born in Houston on July 9, 1957, Boyd grew up in 
Houston's Third Ward, where his interests included church, school,
sports, and music; this wide array of activities foreshadowed the 
path his life would later take; and

	WHEREAS, Boyd moved to Austin to attend Saint Stephen's 
Episcopal High School, from which he graduated in 1975; he later 
attended The University of Texas at Austin and earned his degree 
in 1983; and

	WHEREAS, A longtime leader in the Austin arts community, 
Boyd starred in over 40 plays and musicals, including "Cabaret," 
"Eubie," and "Ain't Misbehavin"; he was a member of Esther's Follies
and appeared in nearly 500 performances of Zachary Scott Theater's
"Shear Madness," Austin's longest-running comedy; and

	WHEREAS, Boyd was a director of remarkable vision whose 
credits included "A Raisin in the Sun," "Joe Turner's Come and Gone,"
and a celebrated production of Anna Deveare Smith's documentary 
"Twilight:  Los Angeles, 1992"; and

	WHEREAS, Boyd was a valued artistic collaborator who 
shared his talents and energy with such diverse entities as
the Tapestry Dance Company, Huston-Tillotson University, the
W.H. Passon Historical Society, Ballet Austin, and
The University of Texas at Austin; and

	WHEREAS, Finding there to be an absence of African Americans
as producers, directors, and other positions of influence in the 
Austin theater scene, Boyd sought to make the system more inclusive,
and in 1993, he cofounded Pro Arts Collective, an organization 
aimed at a comprehensive arts plan for African Americans in 
Central Texas; to further advance that goal, he formed Austin's 
first African American Arts Technical Resource Center in 2001; and

	WHEREAS, Boyd's focus beyond the arts included moving to 
San Francisco for two years to work with the National Task Force 
on AIDS Prevention; after his return to Austin, he remained active
with his work with Austin's annual World AIDS Day events; and

	WHEREAS, In 2004, Boyd was inducted into the Austin Arts Hall
of Fame; in the same year, he received the B. Iden Payne Award for 
overall artistic achievement from the Austin Circle of Theaters; and

	WHEREAS, A man of incredible talent, strength, and 
compassion, Boyd gave generously of himself to others, and his 
dedication, idealism, and love of music, literature, and dance 
will not be forgotten by those who knew him; now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Boyd Vance:  his mother, Hattie Vance; and his brothers,
Booker and Clen Del Vance; and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
the members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy 
from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this 
day, it do so in memory of Boyd Vance.
                                                                      Barrientos




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on April 21, 2005, by a 
rising vote.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate