H.R. No. 703
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Susana R. Almanza 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, Susana Almanza, was honored for
her achievements in public health; she grew up in East Austin and
began working in behalf of her community while still a teenager; as
a freshman in high school, she joined the lettuce boycott, and she
participated in the Economy Furniture workers' strike in the late
1960s; and
WHEREAS, Deeply committed to social justice, Ms. Almanza
served as co-chair of the Brown Berets and worked to heighten
awareness of civil rights issues such as police brutality, an
absence of available youth activities, and the need for improvement
in housing, education, and other services in East Austin; in 1991,
she cofounded People Organized in Defense of Earth and her
Resources, or PODER, an organization that strives to empower the
community to address environmental and social justice issues as
basic human rights; and
WHEREAS, Susana Almanza has made a positive difference in her
community, and her 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 Susana R. Almanza on her selection
as a Mexican American Trailblazer of Austin and Travis County and
extend to her sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Ms. Almanza as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Rodriguez
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 703 was adopted by the House on March
17, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House