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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The life of an esteemed jurist drew to a close with |
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the passing of the Honorable Fortunato Pedro Benavides of Austin on |
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May 5, 2023, at the age of 76; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Adán and Pilar Benavides, "Pete" |
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Benavides was born in Mission on February 3, 1947, and he grew up in |
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McAllen with the companionship of eight siblings, Tony, Adán, |
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Gabriel, Liza, Mary Lou, John Lee, Joe, and Ray; after graduating |
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from McAllen Senior High School in 1965, he went on to earn a |
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bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of |
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Houston as well as a law degree from the UH Law Center; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Benavides entered private practice as a |
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litigator in McAllen, and in 1977, he began a two-year tenure as a |
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judge on the Hidalgo County Court at Law; he then returned to |
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private practice before winning election to the 92nd District Court |
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in Hidalgo County in 1981; three years later, he was appointed to |
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the Thirteenth Court of Appeals of Texas by Governor Mark White, and |
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he joined the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals after receiving an |
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appointment from Governor Ann Richards in 1991; in the subsequent |
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years, he presided over numerous Texas state courts, and for a time, |
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he was a partner at the Atlas & Hall law firm in McAllen; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1994, Judge Benavides was appointed to the |
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U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals by President Bill Clinton, and |
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he further distinguished himself through his service on the |
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judicial council of the Fifth Circuit; he assumed senior status in |
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2012; moreover, he was active in the Judicial Conference of the |
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United States, and he was a member of the committees on |
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international judicial relations and the administration of the |
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bankruptcy system; and |
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WHEREAS, Judge Benavides also found time to serve as a member |
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of the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission for several years, and |
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he established the Ramiro H. Guerra Youth Village, a residential |
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facility in Weslaco for juvenile offenders; among his many |
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achievements, he was named one of 53 "Faces of Hope" by President |
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Bill Clinton in 1993; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Judge Benavides enjoyed the |
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love and support of his wife, Evelyn; he was the father of three |
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children, Amanda, Adelaide, and the late Ramon Joseph Benavides, |
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who died in infancy; with the passing years, his treasured family |
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grew to include two grandsons, Noah and Milo; and |
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WHEREAS, Although Pete Benavides is deeply missed by those he |
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left behind, his legacy of service will be remembered and admired |
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for years to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of |
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Judge Fortunato Pedro "Pete" Benavides and extend heartfelt |
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sympathy to his loved ones; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Judge |
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Benavides. |