87S30403 CW-D
 
  By: Lucio III H.R. No. 57
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to
  a close with the passing of the Most Reverend Raymundo J. Peña,
  bishop emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville, on
  September 24, 2021, at the age of 87; and
         WHEREAS, The son of Cosme and Elisa Peña, Raymundo Peña was
  born in Corpus Christi on February 19, 1934, and he grew up in
  Robstown; answering his call to the priesthood, he entered the
  St. John's and Assumption Seminaries in San Antonio and was
  ordained on May 25, 1957, at the Corpus Christi Cathedral; he served
  in parish posts as a diocesan youth director and as editor of the
  Texas Gulf Coast Catholic; and
         WHEREAS, Ordained as a bishop in 1976, this esteemed
  clergyman was named the auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of San
  Antonio that same year and also served as administrator; in 1980, he
  embarked on a 15-year tenure as bishop for the Catholic Diocese of
  El Paso; among his many accomplishments, he founded the Progress:
  Catholic Ministry Appeal and the Rio Grande Catholic, the official
  newspaper of the El Paso diocese; he also helped develop the Tepeyac
  Institute, which offers training for church ministry; and
         WHEREAS, In 1995, the Most Reverend Peña was appointed bishop
  of the Brownsville diocese; nearly a decade and a half later, in
  2009, he retired as the longest-serving active Hispanic bishop in
  the U.S.; an admired leader in the Catholic church, he chaired
  committees that focused on the concerns of Hispanics in the United
  States and Latin America, and he was a synod father for the Special
  Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops; he also tirelessly
  advocated for the rights of immigrants and strove to promote unity
  along the border between Mexico and the U.S.; during his years in
  the ministry, he faithfully practiced his motto of "Haz todo con
  amor," which means "Let all that you do be done in love"; and
         WHEREAS, Though it is impossible to gauge the full effect of
  one person's life, some individuals leave their unmistakable mark
  on the world as they move through it, and Raymundo Peña's record of
  good works will continue to resonate for years to come; now,
  therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
  Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory
  of the Most Reverend Raymundo J. Peña and extend heartfelt sympathy
  to his loved ones and friends; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for the Catholic Archives of Texas and that when the Texas
  House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
  the Most Reverend Raymundo Peña.