TITLE: Honoring Cruz Ortiz of San Antonio for his artistic accomplishments and contributions to civic life.

SUMMARY: Honoring Cruz Ortiz of San Antonio for his artistic accomplishments and contributions to civic life.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Artist Cruz Ortiz of San Antonio has distinguished himself by using his talent to increase engagement in the political process; and WHEREAS, An activist as well as an artist, Mr. Ortiz has created compelling posters for the Texas Democratic Convention and for numerous campaigns for public office at the local, state, and national levels; his singular style draws from Latino pop culture, street art, and the DIY aesthetic of punk rock, sparking interest in people not usually interested in politics; and WHEREAS, Mr. Ortiz has also hosted benefits that draw an eclectic crowd; in 2008, he raised nearly $5,000 for Barack Obama's presidential campaign at a silk-screening party, and he later received a thank-you letter from the White House; and WHEREAS, Born in Houston in 1972, Mr. Ortiz grew up in a Democratic household; he earned his bachelor's degree in fine arts at The University of Texas at San Antonio and taught art at Lee High School for 15 years before launching a design business, Snake Hawk Press; he and his employees use vintage equipment from a legendary West Side print shop that once served many local Democrats; in addition to high-profile political commissions, he has completed commercial projects for a number of national brands, and his work in a variety of media, including installations, performance art, and video, has been exhibited at Artpace San Antonio, the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, and the San Juan Poly/Graphic Triennial in Puerto Rico, among many other institutions and events; and WHEREAS, Cruz Ortiz has won the respect and appreciation of innumerable people through both his art and his activism, and his admirers look forward with anticipation to his next projects; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas Legislature hereby honor Cruz Ortiz for his artistic accomplishments and contributions to civic life and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Ortiz as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Martinez Fischer Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1680 was adopted by the House on May 27, 2019, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House