WHEREAS, With the untimely passing of Boyd Vance of Austin on April 9, 2005, the State of Texas has lost a gifted artist, a dedicated activist, and an eloquent advocate for social justice; and WHEREAS, Born in Houston in 1957, Mr. Vance first moved to Austin to attend St. Stephen's Episcopal School, and he went on to earn his bachelor's degree in English from The University of Texas at Austin; and

WHEREAS, A consummate theater professional, Mr. Vance starred in more than 40 productions and directed more than 50, bringing to every project his characteristic blend of disciplined focus, inspired creativity, and generosity of spirit; and

WHEREAS, Though an unparalleled performer in his own right, he was less interested in furthering his own career than he was in fostering a supportive and vital arts community for the benefit of others; to that end, he shared his extensive expertise with aspiring African American theater professionals as a cofounder of Pro Arts Collective and through his work with the African-American Technical Resource Center; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Vance's commitment to community extended far beyond the arts, and he willingly lent his time and talent to such worthwhile events as Austin's African American Heritage Festival and the Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard Clean Up Celebration; and

WHEREAS, It is the singular gift of great artists to communicate in a universal language that unites people from all walks of life, and in sharing his considerable talents with grateful audiences, Mr. Vance lifted their spirits and captivated them with work of joy and meaning; and

WHEREAS, Although he cannot be replaced on or off the stage, his many friends and admirers may take comfort in the fact that his vibrant spirit lives on in the organizations he helped build, in the artistic community he enriched, and in the hearts of all those fortunate enough to have known him; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life and work of Boyd Vance and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his mother, Hattie Vance; to his brothers, Clen and Booker Vance; and to his other family members and many friends; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Boyd Vance. Dukes ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1179 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 14, 2005. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

HR1179: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/79R/billtext/HR01179F.HTM

In Memory of Boyd Vance

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens of Austin in mourning the loss of Boyd Vance, who died April 9, 2005, at the age of 47; and

WHEREAS, Born in Houston on July 9, 1957, Boyd grew up in Houston's Third Ward, where his interests included church, school, sports, and music; this wide array of activities foreshadowed the path his life would later take; and

WHEREAS, Boyd moved to Austin to attend Saint Stephen's Episcopal High School, from which he graduated in 1975; he later attended The University of Texas at Austin and earned his degree in 1983; and

WHEREAS, A longtime leader in the Austin arts community, Boyd starred in over 40 plays and musicals, including "Cabaret," "Eubie," and "Ain't Misbehavin"; he was a member of Esther's Follies and appeared in nearly 500 performances of Zachary Scott Theater's "Shear Madness," Austin's longest-running comedy; and

WHEREAS, Boyd was a director of remarkable vision whose credits included "A Raisin in the Sun," "Joe Turner's Come and Gone," and a celebrated production of Anna Deveare Smith's documentary "Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992"; and

WHEREAS, Boyd was a valued artistic collaborator who shared his talents and energy with such diverse entities as the Tapestry Dance Company, Huston-Tillotson University, the W.H. Passon Historical Society, Ballet Austin, and The University of Texas at Austin; and

WHEREAS, Finding there to be an absence of African Americans as producers, directors, and other positions of influence in the Austin theater scene, Boyd sought to make the system more inclusive, and in 1993, he cofounded Pro Arts Collective, an organization aimed at a comprehensive arts plan for African Americans in Central Texas; to further advance that goal, he formed Austin's first African American Arts Technical Resource Center in 2001; and

WHEREAS, Boyd's focus beyond the arts included moving to San Francisco for two years to work with the National Task Force on AIDS Prevention; after his return to Austin, he remained active with his work with Austin's annual World AIDS Day events; and

WHEREAS, In 2004, Boyd was inducted into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame; in the same year, he received the B. Iden Payne Award for overall artistic achievement from the Austin Circle of Theaters; and

WHEREAS, A man of incredible talent, strength, and compassion, Boyd gave generously of himself to others, and his dedication, idealism, and love of music, literature, and dance will not be forgotten by those who knew him; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 79th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Boyd Vance: his mother, Hattie Vance; and his brothers, Booker and Clen Del Vance; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the members of 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 Boyd Vance. Barrientos ________________________________ President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 21, 2005, by a rising vote. ________________________________ Secretary of the Senate ________________________________ Member, Texas Senate

SR669: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/79R/billtext/SR00669F.HTM