HR0662 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0662 LRB102 26177 MST 35800 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Vicente Fernandez, a world-wide ambassador of Mexican Ranchero music with a distinguished singing career in which he was awarded three Grammys and nine Latin Grammys, passed away on December 12, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Vicente Fernandez inspired generations of families to share Mexican culture and traditions, including all over the State of Illinois, which he visited on several occasions; and

WHEREAS, Vicente Fernandez was born on February 17, 1940 in Huentitlan Jalisco, the area known as the cradle and origin of Mariachi music, representative of celebratory occasions for Mexican families; and

WHEREAS, Vicente Fernandez participated in and sponsored Tres Potrillos Charro Teams and the Charro sporting tradition in Mexico and all over the world; and

WHEREAS, Vicente Fernandez came from humble beginnings and persevered, creating a successful singing career that included over 50 million records sold and an acting career in which he was featured in over 30 films; and

WHEREAS, Vicente Fernandez championed and fought for the empowerment and legalization of undocumented immigrant families in the United States; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare February 17, 2022 as "Vicente Fernandez Day" in the State of Illinois to pay tribute to his tremendous contributions.