TITLE: Commemorating the one-year anniversary of the dedication of the Tejano Monument at the State Capitol.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the one-year anniversary of the dedication of the Tejano Monument at the State Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, A monument honoring the legacy of Tejanos was unveiled on the historic grounds of the State Capitol on March 29, 2012, and in the year since, it has served to educate visitors on an important chapter in the story of Texas; and WHEREAS, The initiative began in 2000 when Dr. Cayetano Barrera, a physician in McAllen, raised a question about the lack of recognition for Hispanic contributions to the state in the works on the Capitol grounds; he brought his concern to state leaders, and in 2001, the Texas Legislature passed a resolution calling for a statue honoring Tejanos; and WHEREAS, Crafted by sculptor Armando Hinojosa, the Tejano Monument features life-size figures of a Spanish explorer, a family of settlers, and a mustang-riding vaquero herding a pair of longhorns; each part of the monument signifies a specific historical contribution by Tejanos and their ancestors, whose influences continue to be felt in all aspects of daily life; and WHEREAS, The grassroots campaign that carried the endeavor to completion saw laborious but steady progress over the course of 12 years, as several administrative hurdles were overcome and more than $1 million was collected by private supporters; in 2010, design and final state approval was granted by the State Preservation Board and bronzing of the statues and site preparation could finally begin; two years later, the Tejano Monument was unveiled to a crowd of more than 1,000 supporters and much acclaim; and WHEREAS, The enthusiasm engendered by the monument additionally spurred the establishment of the Tejano History Curriculum Project, which helps to foster among elementary school students a deeper understanding of the significant accomplishments of Tejanos over the centuries; undertaken by The University of Texas College of Education with the support of corporate, educational, and nonprofit partners, the program is slated to expand to other universities and to school districts throughout the state; and WHEREAS, The Tejano Monument was realized in large part due to the commitment and leadership of an intrepid group of executive board members: Dr. Barrera, president, Homero Vera, Dr. Andres Tijerina, and Renato Ramirez, vice presidents, Richard P. Sanchez, secretary and treasurer, and Jaime Beaman, director; further aiding in its success were advisory board members Benny Martinez, Loretta Williams, Aida Torres, William Zerme o, Estella Zerme o, Judge Emilio Vargas, and R. J. Molina, along with a host of other tireless advocates; and WHEREAS, Spanning nearly half a millennium, the history of people of Spanish descent in what is now Texas comprises a broad spectrum of achievements that have advanced the civilization and shaped the cultural identity that so defines the Lone Star State; as a tribute to the immeasurable impact of their accomplishments, the Tejano Monument serves as a beacon and a source of tremendous pride that will continue to enlighten and inspire Texans for generations to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the one-year anniversary of the dedication of the Tejano Monument and extend best wishes to all those involved with the creation and establishment of the monument and the Tejano History Curriculum Project. Raymond Guillen Mu  oz, Jr. Martinez Fischer Hernandez Luna King of Zavala Straus M. Gonzalez of El Paso Oliveira Allen N. Gonzalez of El Paso Orr Alonzo Gooden Otto Alvarado Guerra Paddie Anchia Guillen Parker Anderson Gutierrez Patrick Ashby Harless Perez Aycock Harper-Brown Perry Bell Hernandez Luna Phillips Bohac Herrero Pickett Bonnen of Brazoria Hilderbran Pitts Bonnen of Galveston Howard Price Branch Huberty Raney Burkett Hughes Ratliff Burnam Hunter Raymond Button Isaac Reynolds Callegari Johnson Riddle Canales Kacal Ritter Capriglione Keffer Rodriguez of Bexar Carter King of Hemphill Rodriguez of Travis Clardy King of Parker Rose Coleman King of Taylor Sanford Collier King of Zavala Schaefer Cook Kleinschmidt Sheets Cortez Klick Sheffield of Bell Craddick Kolkhorst Sheffield of Coryell Creighton Krause Simmons Crownover Kuempel Simpson Dale Larson Smith Darby Laubenberg Smithee Davis of Dallas Lavender Springer J. Davis of Harris Leach Stephenson S. Davis of Harris Lewis Stickland Deshotel Longoria Strama Dukes Lozano Taylor Dutton Lucio III Thompson of Brazoria Eiland Marquez Thompson of Harris Elkins Martinez Toth Fallon Martinez Fischer Turner of Collin Farias McClendon Turner of Harris Farney Menendez Turner of Tarrant Farrar Miles Villalba Fletcher Miller of Comal Villarreal Flynn Miller of Fort Bend Vo Frank Moody Walle Frullo Morrison White Geren Munoz, Jr. Workman Giddings Murphy Wu Goldman Naishtat Zedler Gonzales Nevarez Zerwas Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2015 was adopted by the House on May 10, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House