TITLE: Congratulating Gilbert C. Rivera on his selection by the Austin History Center as a Mexican American Trailblazer of Austin and Travis County.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Gilbert C. Rivera on his selection by the Austin History Center as a Mexican American Trailblazer of Austin and Travis County.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Gilbert C. Rivera was recognized by the Austin History Center in conjunction with its exhibit Mexican American Firsts: Trailblazers of Austin and Travis County;and WHEREAS, Honoring the important contributions made by Mexican Americans to Central Texas, the Austin History Center and its association joined with the Austin Public Library to organize the show, which ran from August 21, 2010, through January 16, 2011; Mexican American Firsts: Trailblazers of Austin and Travis County celebrated the pioneering achievements of 32 remarkable men and women and provided the public with an opportunity to learn more about their lives; and WHEREAS, One such individual, Gilbert Rivera, was honored for his achievements in the humanities; the child of farm laborers who migrated to western Michigan each summer, he grew up working in the fields and enduring poverty, and he was the first in his family to graduate from high school and college; he worked for a time with the Travis County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Department, and, building from his experiences there, he became an activist for vulnerable youth and the Chicano community; and WHEREAS, Mr. Rivera played a key role in the formation of various social justice and environmental organizations, including the Brown Berets and PODER (People Organized in Defense of Earth and Her Resources), and in collaboration with Austin Community Television he produced two local documentaries, We Will Always Be Here and The Day the Klan Marched;and WHEREAS, Gilbert Rivera has made a positive difference in his community, and his outstanding accomplishments are a source of pride and inspiration to many people; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Gilbert C. Rivera on his selection as a Mexican American Trailblazer of Austin and Travis County and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Rivera as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Rodriguez Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 731 was adopted by the House on March 17, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House