SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1220
	In Memory
	of
	Abdias do Nascimento
	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
	commemorates the life of Brazilian civil rights leader,
	statesman, actor, journalist, and poet Abdias do Nascimento, who
	died May 23, 2011; and
	WHEREAS, A native of Franca, São Paolo, Brazil, Abdias do
	Nascimento served the cause of racial equality with courage,
	strength, and determination; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Nascimento began his civil rights activism as
	a young man in the 1930s and at one point was jailed for his
	resistance to racist attacks; his strong interest in the dramatic
	arts and his desire to promote artistic opportunities led to the
	creation of TEN, the Experimental Theater of the Negro, which
	helped form the country's first generation of black actors and
	actresses and contributed to the creation of dramatic literature
	about Brazilians of African descent; and
	WHEREAS, He was forced into exile by the military regime,
	and served for more than a decade as a visiting professor at
	several universities in the United States; upon his return to
	Brazil, he was elected to the federal Chamber of Deputies, where
	he was the author of Brazil's first affirmative action law; he
	also served in the Senate, where he continued to devote his
	legislative career to advancing the principle of equal rights;
	and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Nascimento has received honors and awards
	from the United States, Nigeria, Mexico, and the United Nations;
	at home, he was awarded the Order of Rio Branco with the rank of
	commander, the highest honor granted by the Brazilian
	government; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Nascimento played a vital role throughout his
	life in promoting the rights and culture of people of African
	descent; he founded Ipeafro, the Institute for Afro-Brazilian
	Studies and Research, to further enhance opportunities in the
	areas of education and culture, and he also founded the newspaper
	Quilombo and wrote more than 20 books; and
	WHEREAS, Abdias do Nascimento was an inspiration to all who
	knew him, and although he will be deeply missed by his family and
	fellow citizens, his spirit will abide in their hearts for years
	to come; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
	Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
	family of Abdias do Nascimento; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
	his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate,
	and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
	Abdias do Nascimento.
	Ellis
		________________________________
		President of the Senate
		I hereby certify that the
		above Resolution was adopted by
		the Senate on May 27, 2011, by a
		rising vote.
		________________________________
		Secretary of the Senate
		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate