H.R. No. 731
R E S O L U T I O N
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