88R5926 BPG-D
By: Eckhardt S.C.R. No. 4
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Capitol Complex Child Development Center moved
to a new facility in the Barbara Jordan State Office Building in
August 2022, and this milestone provides a welcome opportunity to
name the center "Emma's Garden" in honor of the late Emma
Barrientos; and
WHEREAS, In 1989, the 71st Texas Legislature established the
child development center by passing Senate Bill 1480, which was
authored by former State Senator Gonzalo Barrientos and supported
by his wife, Emma Barrientos; over the course of more than three
decades, the center has provided childcare services to employees of
the State of Texas and to the faculty and staff of The University of
Texas at Austin; construction of the new facility commenced in
2019; and
WHEREAS, A respected civic leader, Ms. Barrientos devoted
much of her time to political activism; throughout the 1960s and
1970s, she participated in marches and rallies in support of
organized labor and civil rights; additionally, she was
instrumental in her husband's campaign for state representative,
and after he joined the Texas Senate, she served as treasurer and
president of the Texas Senate Ladies Club; later, the couple became
founding members of the Tejano Democrats; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Barrientos held a deep appreciation for
cultural engagement, and she helped create Ballet Folklórico de
Tejas, a professional dance company, as well as the Mexic-Arte
Museum; moreover, she served as board president of the Austin
Museum of Art and she was an early supporter of the Mexican American
Cultural Center in Austin; and
WHEREAS, Emma Barrientos was a champion of the Capitol
Complex Child Development Center, and naming the facility for her
would be a fitting tribute to her tireless efforts to make the world
a better place for all young Texans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby direct the Texas Facilities Commission to name the Capitol
Complex Child Development Center "Emma's Garden" in honor of Emma
Barrientos; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official
copy of this resolution to the chair and to the executive director
of the Texas Facilities Commission.