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| 4 | 5 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 5 | 6 | | WHEREAS, Houston African Community International USA |
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| 6 | 7 | | (HACIUSA) is holding the Houston African Arts Festival at the Bayou |
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| 7 | 8 | | City Event Center on September 5 and 6, 2015; and |
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| 8 | 9 | | WHEREAS, The annual Houston African Arts Festival highlights |
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| 9 | 10 | | the vibrancy of that culture, showcasing the work of Africans and |
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| 10 | 11 | | African immigrants in a variety of media, including music, art, |
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| 11 | 12 | | poetry, theater, film, and textiles; with the theme "Celebrate |
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| 12 | 13 | | Africa," this year's event will feature live music and dance |
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| 13 | 14 | | performances, a fashion show, drumming, and other artistic and |
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| 14 | 15 | | cultural displays, and attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy |
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| 15 | 16 | | African food and to participate in games and raffles; and |
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| 16 | 17 | | WHEREAS, This highly anticipated event serves to commemorate |
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| 17 | 18 | | African contributions to the Greater Houston community while also |
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| 18 | 19 | | stimulating the patronage of area businesses; proceeds raised at |
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| 19 | 20 | | the festival will go toward educational initiatives, immigrant |
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| 20 | 21 | | development programs, women's centers, and helping the homeless |
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| 21 | 22 | | population in Houston; and |
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| 22 | 23 | | WHEREAS, Ably led by founder and chief executive officer |
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| 23 | 24 | | Dr. Gracie Chukwu, HACIUSA is dedicated to fostering international |
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| 24 | 25 | | and intercultural understanding as well as encouraging worldwide |
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| 25 | 26 | | collaboration among people of African descent; the nonprofit |
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| 26 | 27 | | organization strives to achieve these goals locally by |
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| 27 | 28 | | strengthening African culture to assist new immigrants, promoting |
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| 28 | 29 | | social and economic resources, and increasing humanitarian efforts |
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| 29 | 30 | | to preserve education, artistic endeavors, and youth interests in |
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| 30 | 31 | | the community; and |
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| 31 | 32 | | WHEREAS, The Houston African Arts Festival adds immeasurably |
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| 32 | 33 | | to the cultural richness of the Bayou City, and this outstanding |
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| 33 | 34 | | event and the people who make it happen are indeed deserving of |
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| 34 | 35 | | recognition; now, therefore, be it |
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| 35 | 36 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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| 36 | 37 | | Legislature hereby commemorate the Houston African Arts Festival |
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| 37 | 38 | | and commend Houston African Community International USA for its |
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| 38 | 39 | | exemplary work; and, be it further |
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| 39 | 40 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 40 | 41 | | prepared for Houston African Community International USA as an |
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| 41 | 42 | | expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |
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