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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Manuel Donley was recognized by the Austin History |
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Center in conjunction with its exhibit Mexican American Firsts: |
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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, Manuel "Cowboy" Donley was |
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honored for his achievements in the arts; now considered "the |
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Godfather of Tejano Music," he was performing seven nights a week by |
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the time he was 17; he developed his signature sound playing |
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requinto guitar in Los Heartbreakers, the first Mexican American |
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band in Austin to play rock 'n' roll and rhythm and blues; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Donley found national success after forming Las |
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Estrellas in 1955; his compositions and innovative, horn-fueled |
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arrangements filtered Mexican rancheras, polkas, boleros, and |
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ballads through such influences as big band, rock, and R&B, and the |
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group's high-profile performances included a concert at the |
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Smithsonian Institute for the United States Bicentennial; in |
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addition to mentoring countless musicians as a bandleader, he |
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taught for many years at Huston-Tillotson University; he was |
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inducted into the Tejano Music Hall of Fame in 1986 and is featured |
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in the Austin Latino Music Association Trail of Tejano Legends; and |
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WHEREAS, Manuel "Cowboy" Donley has made a positive |
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difference in his community, and his outstanding accomplishments |
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are a source of pride and inspiration to many people; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Manuel Donley on his selection as a |
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Mexican American Trailblazer of Austin and Travis County and extend |
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to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Donley as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |