83R13385 MGR-D By: Herrero H.R. No. 1098 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is pleased to welcome the reigning Feria de las Flores queen, Mariela Hernandez, and contestants of the 2013 Scholarship Pageant to the State Capitol on April 9, 2013; and WHEREAS, The pageant has been sponsored by LULAC Council No. 1 since 1959; through the generous support of the South Texas business community, LULAC has distributed more than $1.5 million in scholarship funds to students throughout the Coastal Bend area; and WHEREAS, The competition's contestants are judged in six categories: beauty, personality, poise, costume, dance routine, and onstage question, and the event, which is designed to pay tribute to the heritage of Mexican American citizens, features music, dance, and dress that typify various regions south of the border; and WHEREAS, Joining last year's winner, reigning queen Mariela Hernandez, and pageant sponsors Elva Estrada, Olivia Barrera, and Sylvia Garza, the talented individuals participating in this year's competition are Destinee Martinez of Robstown, Mona-elo Martinez of Kingsville, and Karen Cantu, Kimberly De La Fuente, Lauren Martinez, Ivonne Ramirez, Amber San Miguel, Heather Segovia, Alyssa Sifuentes, and Iliana Silvas, all of Corpus Christi; and WHEREAS, Through their involvement, these contestants have demonstrated great cultural pride and community spirit, and they may indeed look forward to bright and promising futures; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby welcome Mariela Hernandez, the reigning queen of Feria de las Flores, and the 2013 pageant contestants to the State Capitol and extend to them sincere best wishes for a memorable visit; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the participants as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.