H.R. No. 8
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The State of Texas has lost one of its most
1-2 distinguished citizens with the recent passing of Antonio R.
1-3 Sanchez, Sr., at the age of 75; and
1-4 WHEREAS, A self-made man, Mr. Sanchez went from selling used
1-5 typewriters and office machines to heading the largest
1-6 minority-owned bank in the United States over the course of his
1-7 long and fruitful life; and
1-8 WHEREAS, This remarkable gentleman spent the first 20 years
1-9 of his professional career building a prosperous office equipment
1-10 business; following this early success, Mr. Sanchez began buying
1-11 oil and gas leases in the 1960s and later used his earnings from
1-12 these leases to establish the International Bank of Commerce of
1-13 Laredo in 1966; and
1-14 WHEREAS, In 1973, Mr. Sanchez, his oldest son, Antonio R.
1-15 Sanchez, Jr., and a partner discovered the biggest natural gas find
1-16 in decades, the Webb and Zapata County Lobo Trend; and
1-17 WHEREAS, The following year, he continued to build on his
1-18 amazing success with the formation of the Sanchez-O'Brien Petroleum
1-19 Corporation; other enterprises that would later flourish under his
1-20 expert guidance included the Sanchez Cattle Co., Sanchez
1-21 Investments, Inc., and a television station; and
1-22 WHEREAS, A renowned philanthropist, Mr. Sanchez gave
1-23 generously of his resources to benefit countless organizations
1-24 throughout his lifetime; he helped to found Laredo Junior College,
2-1 was a major advocate for the city's first four-year college program
2-2 at Laredo State University, and was a staunch supporter of the
2-3 Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and efforts to
2-4 improve higher education along the Texas-Mexico border; and
2-5 WHEREAS, In his capacity as the chairman of the board of the
2-6 International Bank of Commerce of Laredo, Mr. Sanchez oversaw bank
2-7 holdings of approximately $1.7 billion and was known on both sides
2-8 of the Texas border for his business and civic activities and the
2-9 many significant contributions he made to the economic progress of
2-10 Laredo; and
2-11 WHEREAS, Mr. Sanchez also was a devoted family man who
2-12 enjoyed a happy and rewarding marriage with his wife, Alicia, and
2-13 who took great pride in the achievements of his children, Antonio,
2-14 George, and Iris, and in the activities of his six beloved
2-15 grandchildren; and
2-16 WHEREAS, In all aspects of his life, Antonio Sanchez
2-17 demonstrated unfailing optimism, integrity, and dedication to that
2-18 which he knew to be right; though his presence will be deeply
2-19 missed by all who were privileged to know him, the memory of this
2-20 remarkable gentleman will continue to live on in the many
2-21 accomplishments he leaves behind; now, therefore, be it
2-22 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
2-23 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Antonio R. Sanchez,
2-24 Sr., and extend profound sympathy to the members of his family: to
2-25 his wife, Alicia; to his children, Antonio R. Sanchez, Jr., George
2-26 Sanchez, and Iris Stewart; to his six grandchildren; and to the
2-27 many friends and relatives of this fine man; and, be it further
3-1 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-2 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-3 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-4 Antonio R. Sanchez, Sr.
3-5 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-6 Antonio R. Sanchez, Sr.
3-7 Cuellar of Webb
3-8 H.R. No. 8
3-9 _______________________________
3-10 Speaker of the House
3-11 I certify that H.R. No. 8 was unanimously adopted by a rising
3-12 vote of the House on March 11, 1993.
3-13 _______________________________
3-14 Chief Clerk of the House