H.R. No. 527 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Renee Elise Goldsberry has received the 2017 Texas Medal of Arts Award for theater from the Texas Cultural Trust; and WHEREAS, Presented biennially, the Texas Medal of Arts Awards acknowledge artists who have made exceptional contributions to the arts at home and around the world; and WHEREAS, Ms. Goldsberry originated the role of Angelica Schuyler in the groundbreaking hit Hamilton; she received a 2016 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, and that performance brought her a Grammy Award as well; her other Broadway credits include Nettie Harris in the original cast of The Color Purple, Mimi Marquez in Rent, and Nala in The Lion King; in addition, she acted in several productions of the New York Shakespeare Festival and appeared with Frances McDormand and Tate Donovan in David Lindsay-Abaire's play Good People; and WHEREAS, An acclaimed television actress as well, Ms. Goldsberry won recognition for her work on One Life to Live, including two Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series; she also had recurring roles on The Good Wife, Law and Order: SVU, and The Following; and WHEREAS, Ms. Goldsberry began her career in childhood at the HITS Theatre in Houston; after graduating from the famed drama department of Carnegie Mellon University, she went on to complete a master's degree in vocal jazz at the University of Southern California and sang in Los Angeles clubs and on the TV series Ally McBeal; over the years, she has also returned to the Bayou City to perform at the Alley Theatre and Houston Grand Opera; and WHEREAS, Through her exceptional talent and her commitment to the theater, Ms. Goldsberry has captured the imagination of countless people, and she is truly deserving of this most recent accolade; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Renee Elise Goldsberry on her receipt of the 2017 Texas Medal of Arts Award for theater and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Ms. Goldsberry as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Thierry ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 527 was adopted by the House on February 20, 2017, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House