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