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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Raul Salinas was posthumously recognized by the |
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Austin History Center in conjunction with its exhibit Mexican |
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American Firsts: Trailblazers of Austin and Travis County; and |
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WHEREAS, Honoring the important contributions made by |
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Mexican Americans to Central Texas, the Austin History Center and |
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its association joined with the Austin Public Library to organize |
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the show, which ran from August 21, 2010, through January 16, 2011; |
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Mexican American Firsts: Trailblazers of Austin and Travis County |
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celebrated the pioneering achievements of 32 remarkable men and |
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women and provided the public with an opportunity to learn more |
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about their lives; and |
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WHEREAS, One such individual, Raul Salinas, was honored for |
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his achievements as a poet and activist; born in 1934, Mr. Salinas |
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was a pioneer of Chicano poetry; influenced by jazz and the Beat |
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poets, he found his artistic voice, earned college degrees, and |
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developed his passion for social justice over the approximately 12 |
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years that he served in prison, and he eventually produced a number |
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of critically acclaimed books of poetry, including Un Trip Through |
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the Mind Jail y Otras Excursions and East of the Freeway: |
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Reflections de Mi Pueblo; in 1981 he opened Resistencia Bookstore |
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in Austin, a resource that has served as a cultural and political |
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center for the community, and two years later he established Red |
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Salmon Arts, which hosts performances and other cultural events; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, A tireless champion for human rights, Mr. Salinas |
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worked with the American Indian Movement and El Centro de la Raza |
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and also advocated in behalf of prisoners; as his reputation grew, |
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he devoted a significant amount of time to teaching classes at St. |
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Edward's University and presenting workshops at youth correctional |
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facilities and community centers; and |
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WHEREAS, Through his outstanding accomplishments, Raul |
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Salinas made a positive difference in his community, and his legacy |
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is a source of pride and inspiration to many people; now, therefore, |
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be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Raul Salinas, a |
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Mexican American Trailblazer of Austin and Travis County. |