83R7166 LUC-D
By: Longoria H.R. No. 475
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Mariachi Los Lobos and Grupo Folklorico Ozomatli,
two groups from Palmview High School in Mission, were chosen to
perform in the 57th Inaugural Parade in honor of President Barack
Obama on January 21, 2013, in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, This prestigious honor allowed the students to
represent the Rio Grande Valley and the State of Texas in a
prominent national showcase, while helping to focus attention on
the country's Hispanic heritage, and it marked yet another notable
achievement for these respected ensembles; and
WHEREAS, Since their inception in 2008, Mariachi Los Lobos
and Grupo Folklorico Ozomatli have worked to preserve the Latino
traditions and culture of the local community; the groups have
flourished in their first four years, earning wide recognition and
sparking new enthusiasm for music and dance among students in the La
Joya Independent School District; and
WHEREAS, Mariachi Los Lobos, under the direction of music
director Mayra Garcia, has earned great acclaim for its
accomplished and inspiring performances; many students in the group
have placed in top chairs at the All-Valley Region 15 Mariachi
competition, and its vocalists have made the finals every year at
the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza National Vocal Competition; in
2011, Mariachi Los Lobos was named the best 5A High School Mariachi
in the state, and in 2012 it claimed runner-up honors; in addition,
the group has won awards in various local competitions, such as The
University of Texas-Pan American Festival of International Books
and Arts, and it was honored at the Texas State Capitol in 2011; and
WHEREAS, Grupo Folklorico Ozomatli, which is guided by music
director Rolando Rodriguez, has performed in numerous concerts and
folkloric festivals around the country; the group is renowned for
its talented dancers, many of whom have gone on to receive college
scholarships, including awards from the National Endowment for the
Arts, and to join professional dance companies; and
WHEREAS, Every year, Mariachi Los Lobos and Grupo Folklorico
Ozomatli work together to present two concerts that regularly draw
sell-out crowds of more than 3,000 people per show; these events
reflect the widespread popularity of these dedicated student
entertainers, whose artistry has become an integral part of the
rich cultural offerings in the Rio Grande Valley; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Mariachi Los Lobos and Grupo
Folklorico Ozomatli on their selection as performers in the 57th
Presidential Inaugural Parade and extend to them sincere best
wishes for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the groups as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.