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                                                                  H.R. No. 1591



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Nydia Alonzo has demonstrated outstanding 
inventiveness and initiative in her instruction of second graders 
at Leo Marcell Elementary School in Mission, Texas; and
	WHEREAS, In the course of teaching her students about their 
home state, she has led them in cooking chili, the state dish, for 
an open house during Texas Public School Week, and growing 
jalapeños, the state pepper, in their classroom; she has also 
acquainted them with the legend of the bluebonnet, the state 
flower, and with the fact that the Valley's Texas Red Grapefruit is 
the state fruit; and
	WHEREAS, While pondering the variety of official state 
symbols, it occurred to her students that Texas did not have an 
official state snack; they decided this position of honor 
rightfully belonged to the tortilla chip, a standard snack in Texas 
but uncommon fare in other states, as some students had discovered 
first-hand on their travels; and
	WHEREAS, Realizing what a wonderful opportunity her 
students' interest presented, Mrs. Alonzo encouraged them to take 
the matter of the tortilla chip to their state representative; on 
April 16, 2002, the class e-mailed State Representative Kino Flores 
requesting that he propose adding the tortilla chip to the list of 
official state symbols; from the time of that e-mail, Mrs. Alonzo 
stayed in close communication with the representative and his staff 
to monitor progress on her students' petition; and
	WHEREAS, The idea of recognizing the tortilla chip evolved 
further, and when the 78th Texas Legislature convened in 2003, HCR 
16 was introduced to make tortilla chips and salsa the official 
state snack; at the appropriate time, Mrs. Alonzo and her class 
traveled to the Capitol to testify in its favor; the measure 
subsequently passed both houses with no opposition; and
	WHEREAS, The young students who had the good fortune to find 
themselves in Mrs. Alonzo's classroom gained invaluable experience 
in the workings of representative government, and Texans will soon 
be able to boast of a new state symbol, thanks to the inspiration of 
these youngsters and the creative and dedicated efforts of their 
exceptional teacher; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor Nydia Alonzo for her contributions to 
designating tortilla chips and salsa as the official state snack of 
Texas and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success in 
all her endeavors; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mrs. Alonzo as an expression of high esteem by the 
Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                          Flores

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 1591 was adopted by the House on May 
30, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House