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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A monument honoring the legacy of Tejanos was |
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unveiled on the historic grounds of the State Capitol on March 29, |
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2012, and in the year since, it has served to educate visitors on an |
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important chapter in the story of Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, The initiative began in 2000 when Dr. Cayetano |
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Barrera, a physician in McAllen, raised a question about the lack of |
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recognition for Hispanic contributions to the state in the works on |
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the Capitol grounds; he brought his concern to state leaders, and in |
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2001, the Texas Legislature passed a resolution calling for a |
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statue honoring Tejanos; and |
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WHEREAS, Crafted by sculptor Armando Hinojosa, the Tejano |
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Monument features life-size figures of a Spanish explorer, a family |
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of settlers, and a mustang-riding vaquero herding a pair of |
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longhorns; each part of the monument signifies a specific |
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historical contribution by Tejanos and their ancestors, whose |
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influences continue to be felt in all aspects of daily life; and |
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WHEREAS, The grassroots campaign that carried the endeavor to |
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completion saw laborious but steady progress over the course of 12 |
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years, as several administrative hurdles were overcome and more |
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than $1 million was collected by private supporters; in 2010, |
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design and final state approval was granted by the State |
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Preservation Board and bronzing of the statues and site preparation |
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could finally begin; two years later, the Tejano Monument was |
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unveiled to a crowd of more than 1,000 supporters and much acclaim; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The enthusiasm engendered by the monument |
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additionally spurred the establishment of the Tejano History |
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Curriculum Project, which helps to foster among elementary school |
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students a deeper understanding of the significant accomplishments |
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of Tejanos over the centuries; undertaken by The University of |
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Texas College of Education with the support of corporate, |
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educational, and nonprofit partners, the program is slated to |
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expand to other universities and to school districts throughout the |
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state; and |
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WHEREAS, The Tejano Monument was realized in large part due |
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to the commitment and leadership of an intrepid group of executive |
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board members: Dr. Barrera, president, Homero Vera, Dr. Andres |
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Tijerina, and Renato Ramirez, vice presidents, Richard P. Sanchez, |
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secretary and treasurer, and Jaime Beaman, director; further aiding |
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in its success were advisory board members Benny Martinez, Loretta |
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Williams, Aida Torres, William Zermeño, Estella Zermeño, Judge |
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Emilio Vargas, and R. J. Molina, along with a host of other |
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tireless advocates; and |
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WHEREAS, Spanning nearly half a millennium, the history of |
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people of Spanish descent in what is now Texas comprises a broad |
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spectrum of achievements that have advanced the civilization and |
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shaped the cultural identity that so defines the Lone Star State; as |
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a tribute to the immeasurable impact of their accomplishments, the |
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Tejano Monument serves as a beacon and a source of tremendous pride |
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that will continue to enlighten and inspire Texans for generations |
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to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the one-year anniversary of the |
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dedication of the Tejano Monument and extend best wishes to all |
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those involved with the creation and establishment of the monument |
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and the Tejano History Curriculum Project. |