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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Rodolfo Mendez 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, Rodolfo Mendez, was honored for |
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his achievements in the arts; as a young man in East Austin, Mr. |
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Mendez began to learn flamenco from teachers at the Pan American |
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Recreation Center, later studying with the Austin Civic Ballet; |
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during his senior year at LBJ High School, he won first place as a |
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flamenco dancer in a state talent competition, and he went on to |
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study in New York with the Martha Graham School of Contemporary |
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Dance, the American Ballet Theatre, and the Alvin Ailey American |
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Dance School; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Mendez served in the Peace Corps, dancing with |
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the national companies in Chile and Costa Rica and developing a |
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theater and dance curriculum for the schools in Costa Rica; he has |
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worked as a dancer in off-Broadway shows and in touring companies, |
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and he earned a Fulbright Scholarship to study flamenco in Spain; in |
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1978, he founded the Ballet East Dance Company in Austin, where as |
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artistic director he has choreographed more than 40 original works |
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and implemented the Preservation of Texas Choreography series; and |
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WHEREAS, Rodolfo Mendez has made a positive difference in his |
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community, and his outstanding accomplishments are a source of |
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pride and inspiration to many people; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Rodolfo Mendez on his selection as |
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a Mexican American Trailblazer of Austin and Travis County and |
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extend 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. Mendez as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |
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Rodriguez |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 729 was adopted by the House on March |
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17, 2011, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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