SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 264
 
  In Memory
  of
  Freddy Fender
 
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas commemorates the
  life of Freddy Fender, who died October 16, 2006, at the age of
  69; and
         WHEREAS, He was born Baldemar Huerta in 1937 in San Benito,
  where he was influenced by the Mexican-polka sound known as
  conjunto; the son of migrant workers, he worked alongside his
  parents in the fields, and there picked up the melancholy sound
  of the blues in the songs of the black people he worked with; and
         WHEREAS, While still just a boy, he was performing on radio
  and often won contests for his singing; he was proud of his
  Mexican-American heritage and sang popular tunes of the day in
  Spanish, including Elvis Presley's "Don't Be Cruel" and
  Harry Belafonte's "Jamaica Farewell," which became big hits in
  Mexico and South America; and
         WHEREAS, He took the name Freddy Fender after signing on
  with Imperial Records in 1959; the following year he recorded
  "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights"; and
         WHEREAS, In the 60s and early 70s, Freddy went through a time
  of adversity and disappointment, but he returned to prominence in
  1974 with the hit, "Before the Next Teardrop Falls"; in 1975, he
  won best new artist award from the Academy of Country Music and a
  rerelease of "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" topped the country
  music chart and landed in the top 10 on the pop music chart; and
         WHEREAS, He appeared in movies and received a star on the
  Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999; he won a Grammy for the best Latin
  pop album in 2002 and shared two Grammy awards, one with the
  Texas Tornados and one with Los Super Seven; and
         WHEREAS, Freddy Fender was known for his unique sound and
  memorable music and he will long be remembered by his family and
  many fans; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
  80th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of Freddy Fender
  and extend sincere condolences to the members of his bereaved
  family; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
  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 Freddy Fender.
  Lucio, Hinojosa
 
 
 
  ________________________________ 
      President of the Senate
   
      I hereby certify that the
  above Resolution was adopted by
  the Senate on February 19, 2007,
  by a rising vote.
 
 
 
  ________________________________ 
      Secretary of the Senate
 
 
 
  ________________________________ 
       Member, Texas Senate
 
 
 
  ________________________________ 
       Member, Texas Senate