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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Acclaimed R&B artist John Legend has demonstrated a |
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deep commitment to justice and equality, and he is making a positive |
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difference in the world around him through his music, his advocacy, |
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and his philanthropic initiatives; and |
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WHEREAS, Building on the tradition of engagement established |
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during the Civil Rights era by performers such as Nina Simone, |
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Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder, John Legend has combined stardom |
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with a determination to address contemporary problems; he joined |
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with hip-hop band The Roots to release Wake Up!, a Grammy-winning |
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album of politically engaged soul songs from the 1960s and 1970s; |
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after scoring a massive pop hit with the love ballad "All of Me," he |
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delivered a powerful message about the continuing struggle for |
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human rights in the anthem "Glory," a collaboration with rapper |
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Common that closes the historical film Selma; and |
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WHEREAS, "Glory" won the 2015 Best Original Song Oscar, and |
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in his acceptance speech, Mr. Legend spoke movingly about the |
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legacy of slavery and the current high incarceration rates of |
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African American men; moreover, in magazine editorials and other |
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venues, he has raised awareness of structural racism and |
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opportunity gaps; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2007, Mr. Legend founded the Show Me Campaign, |
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which strives to interrupt the cycle of poverty and close the |
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school-to-prison pipeline that has devastated low-income |
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communities; the organization supports and sponsors educational |
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programs such as the LNRG Innovation Challenge, which is also |
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sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation and the National Writing |
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Project; dedicated to ending mass incarceration, the campaign |
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promotes public policies that will allow the nation to redirect |
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funds from the prison-industrial complex to education, |
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rehabilitation, and effective reentry services; and |
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WHEREAS, John Legend has traveled to the Lone Star State to |
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unite his efforts with those of the Texas Criminal Justice |
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Coalition, a nonpartisan group working to eliminate the costly |
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overreliance on incarceration; he shares with the organization a |
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profound desire to advance solutions that will strengthen families |
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and communities, and it is truly a pleasure to honor him for his |
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contributions to social progress; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby welcome John Legend to the State Capitol and |
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commend him for his endeavors in behalf of education and criminal |
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justice reform; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Legend as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |