By:  Cuellar, H.                                       H.R. No. 445
       73R7206 SDU-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The citizens of Laredo and of the State of Texas
    1-2  have lost an outspoken champion of good government with the passing
    1-3  of Guillermo Benavides on March 11, 1993, at the age of 68; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, Known as "Memo" to his family and many friends, this
    1-5  exceptional individual proudly served his country in the United
    1-6  States Navy as an aircraft electronics technician during World War
    1-7  II; and
    1-8        WHEREAS, Mr. Benavides earned degrees in civil engineering
    1-9  and animal husbandry from The University of Texas at Austin and
   1-10  Texas A&M University as a young man and applied his knowledge and
   1-11  expertise both on the Benavides ranch holdings, where he and his
   1-12  sons carried out highly efficient conservation practices that won
   1-13  several prestigious awards, and throughout an illustrious 20-year
   1-14  career as a Webb County Soil & Water Conservation District
   1-15  director; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, A producer of polled Herefords, Mr. Benavides also
   1-17  distinguished himself as president of the Webb County Farm Bureau,
   1-18  as vice-president of the Webb County Beef Cattle Improvement
   1-19  Association, and as director of the Hebbronville Auction &
   1-20  Communication Company; and
   1-21        WHEREAS, An outspoken critic of government wastefulness, this
   1-22  dedicated and hardworking gentleman served as chairman of the Webb
   1-23  County Reform Party and was the party's mayoral candidate in 1958;
   1-24  in addition, he was an active member of the Webb County Taxpayers
    2-1  League and made frequent appearances before meetings of the Laredo
    2-2  City Council, the Webb County Commissioners Court, and the boards
    2-3  of Laredo Municipal Junior College and the Laredo and United
    2-4  independent school districts; and
    2-5        WHEREAS, Mr. Benavides also served the citizens of his
    2-6  community as a member of the Laredo City Council from 1978 to 1982,
    2-7  during which time he became known for his sincerity, honesty, and
    2-8  directness and enjoyed the respect and admiration of all who knew
    2-9  him; and
   2-10        WHEREAS, Guillermo Benavides contributed significantly to the
   2-11  betterment of the city of Laredo, Webb County, and the State of
   2-12  Texas; though his presence will be deeply missed by the many people
   2-13  whose lives he touched, his unique spirit will live on in the many
   2-14  accomplishments he leaves behind; now, therefore, be it
   2-15        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
   2-16  Legislature hereby honor the memory of Guillermo Benavides and
   2-17  extend profound sympathy to his beloved wife, Norma Zuniga
   2-18  Benavides, and his devoted children, Manuel Alfonso Benavides,
   2-19  Guillermo Benavides, Jr., Norma Alicia Hunt, and Anna Claudia
   2-20  Benavides; and, be it further
   2-21        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-22  prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
   2-23  House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
   2-24  Guillermo Benavides.