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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Johnny Canales, who has achieved tremendous |
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popularity in Mexico and the United States as an entertainer and |
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television host, is now the namesake of a new chapter of the |
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American GI Forum, the Johnny Canales International Chapter; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Canales grew up in Robstown and knew Dr. Hector |
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Garcia, founder of the forum, personally, as the eminent civil |
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rights leader was his physician from the time Mr. Canales was a boy |
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until shortly before Dr. Garcia's death in 1996; and |
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WHEREAS, After graduating from Robstown High School, Mr. |
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Canales served two and a half years in the U.S. Army; he |
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subsequently became a well-known musician and host of the Johnny |
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Canales Show, which showcased emerging musical talent from both |
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Mexico and the United States; videos of his show have been donated |
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to UCLA and to the Smithsonian Institute; and |
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WHEREAS, Strongly supportive of the Latino community, Mr. |
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Canales has received more than 300 awards for his achievements and |
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civic contributions; among the honors bestowed on him have been a |
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tribute from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the National |
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Presidential Medal from LULAC, and the key to the city of Monterrey, |
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where more than 100,000 people attended the filming of one of his |
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shows; and |
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WHEREAS, Based in Robstown, the Canales chapter will be |
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composed of veterans from every military branch and of citizens |
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from all walks of life, including members of the U.S. Congress, |
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entertainers, and athletes; serving as commander of the chapter is |
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Joe Ortiz, civil rights director for the national GI Forum; and |
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WHEREAS, In keeping with the goals of the American GI Forum, |
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the largest Hispanic veterans organization in the nation, the |
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Canales chapter will work on veterans issues, support Latino |
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advancement, and promote education; concerts featuring musical |
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stars from both sides of the border are planned for the purpose of |
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funding scholarships for the local community; in addition, the |
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chapter will seek to secure a national holiday honoring the life and |
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achievements of Dr. Garcia; and |
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WHEREAS, Texans everywhere can take pride in the |
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contributions that Johnny Canales has made to Latino culture and to |
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the Hispanic community, and it is indeed fitting that he be honored |
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in this fashion by the American GI Forum; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Johnny Canales on the chartering of |
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the Johnny Canales International Chapter of the American GI Forum |
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and extend to him sincere appreciation for his outstanding civic |
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engagement; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Canales as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |