TITLE: Recognizing Maria Berriozabal for being honored at the Westside Honors Exitos en Nuestra Barrio Gala.

SUMMARY: Recognizing Maria Berriozabal for being honored at the Westside Honors Exitos en Nuestra Barrio Gala.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Westside Development Corporation is honoring Maria Berrioz bal on May 21 at the 2015 Westside Honors Exitos en Nuestro Barrio Gala in San Antonio; and WHEREAS, Selected as the public service honoree, Ms. Berrioz bal has been a powerful voice for change in San Antonio throughout her work as a social and political activist; the daughter of immigrant parents, she became the first Mexican American woman elected to the city council in 1981, and over the course of her decade-long tenure, she was unafraid to stand alone on the issues in which she believed; she went on to narrowly lose her bid for mayor in 1991 but has remained active in civic affairs; and WHEREAS, Ms. Berrioz bal helped establish Hispanas Unidas, a nonprofit group dedicated to the education and advancement of minority women, and she has participated in the founding of various other Latina organizations; in 1994, she received a presidential appointment to be the United States representative to the Inter-American Commission of Women, held by the Organization of American States; she has further represented her country at conferences hosted by the United Nations and at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995; and WHEREAS, This esteemed advocate has additionally served as an instructor on women, minorities, and public policy at Harvard University after accepting a fellowship at the Institute of Politics at the university's John F. Kennedy School of Government; today, she continues to ardently support social justice, peace, and environmental causes, and she enjoys serving as a mentor to younger activists; and WHEREAS, The city of San Antonio is indeed fortunate to have passionate and engaged residents like Maria Berrioz bal, whose history of community involvement is an inspiration to all who know her; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby congratulate Maria Berrioz bal on her recognition by the Westside Development Corporation at the 2015 Westside Honors Exitos en Nuestro Barrio Gala and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for Ms. Berrioz bal as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Men ndez President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 14, 2015.