SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 548
 
 
  In Memory
  of
  Elena Peña Gallego
 
         WHEREAS, Elena Peña Gallego, an esteemed member of the
  Alpine community and a friend to many, passed away on March 8,
  2023, at the age of 94; and
 
         WHEREAS, The former Elena Peña was born to Martín Peña and
  Cecilia Paredes Peña on August 18, 1928, in Fort Stockton, and
  she grew up with the companionship of three siblings, Mary,
  Irene, and Pete; at the age of 16, she moved to Alpine to attend
  Sul Ross State Teachers College, and two years later, she was
  joined in matrimony to Pete A. Gallego, with whom she shared a
  fulfilling union that spanned more than six decades until his
  passing in 2010; and
 
         WHEREAS, Mrs. Gallego left college to take a position as a
  teacher at a rural school near Chinati Peak, and upon her
  marriage, she worked in the Gallego family's restaurant, then
  known as the Green Café; she later became the first Mexican
  American bookkeeper at First National Bank in Alpine before
  joining the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, where
  she took great satisfaction in helping people to meet their basic
  needs; and
 
         WHEREAS, Active in her community, Mrs. Gallego helped to
  establish and operate Our Lady of Peace Credit Union, now Alpine
  Community Credit Union, in order to meet the financial needs of
  Mexican Americans who faced discrimination by area banks;
  moreover, she was very involved in local politics and served as
  campaign strategist for her husband, who served five terms as a
  trustee of the Alpine Independent School District, and the
  family's restaurant became a frequent stopping place for
  Democratic candidates in the West Texas area; in 2019, she
  received an Honorary Bachelor of Arts Degree from Sul Ross State
  University and the Texas State University System Board of
  Regents, the first time such a degree had been awarded; and
 
         WHEREAS, Mrs. Gallego took great pride in her four
  children, Imelda, Rebecca, Pete, and Robert, and she instilled in
  them the value of education; with the passing years, she had the
  pleasure of seeing her family grow to include five grandchildren,
  Imelda, María, Briana, Cristina, and Nicolás, as well as a
  great-granddaughter, Sonia; and
 
         WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to her family and her community,
  Elena Peña Gallego made a meaningful difference in the lives of
  her loved ones and fellow citizens alike, and those who were
  privileged to share in her love and affection will forever hold
  her close in their hearts; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
  Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of Elena Peña Gallego
  and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn her passing; and,
  be it further
 
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
  prepared for her family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns
  this day, it do so in memory of Elena Peña Gallego.
 
  Blanco
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on May 11, 2023, by a
    rising vote.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate