H.R. No. 633
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives takes special
1-2 pleasure in commending the Honorable Raul L. Longoria for his many
1-3 outstanding contributions to his nation, state, and community; and
1-4 WHEREAS, The son of Andres Longoria, a farmer and justice of
1-5 the peace, and Enriqueta Longoria, store owner and postmistress,
1-6 this exemplary public servant was born on February 22, 1921, in La
1-7 Grulla, Starr County; and
1-8 WHEREAS, After his graduation from Rio Grande City High
1-9 School in 1938, Mr. Longoria devoted himself to the betterment of
1-10 his country, joining the Civilian Conservation Corps and traveling
1-11 to New Mexico, where he helped build a dam at Elephant Butte,
1-12 served as a night watchman in Las Cruces, and attended courses at
1-13 New Mexico A&M University; and
1-14 WHEREAS, Answering his nation's call to arms, this patriotic
1-15 American enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 and courageously
1-16 served in many of the most perilous areas of England and Germany;
1-17 on his return to the United States in February 1946, Mr. Longoria
1-18 attended The University of Texas at Austin with the support of the
1-19 GI Bill and, in 1950, graduated with a degree in business
1-20 administration; and
1-21 WHEREAS, During his studies, he met his future wife, Earlene
1-22 Moorman, and the couple was united in matrimony on September 9,
1-23 1947; their happy marriage has since been blessed with the birth of
1-24 five children, Samuel Glenn, Janiece Maxene, Roy Alan, Martha
2-1 Elaine, and Cecilia Joyce; and
2-2 WHEREAS, With the support of his talented and devoted wife,
2-3 who was graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 1949,
2-4 Mr. Longoria finished law school and embarked on a successful legal
2-5 career in Edinburg; and
2-6 WHEREAS, Elected to the Texas House of Representatives in
2-7 1960, he served his constituents with integrity and distinction
2-8 during the 57th, 59th, 60th, 61st, and 62nd Legislatures, and in
2-9 1972 was elected to the Texas Senate by the people of District 27,
2-10 which included the counties of Hidalgo, Cameron, Brooks, and Jim
2-11 Wells; and
2-12 WHEREAS, Respected by all who had the pleasure of working
2-13 with him in Austin, Mr. Longoria led the way in achieving social,
2-14 economic, and political opportunities for Mexican-Americans in this
2-15 state and actively sought more equal representation of
2-16 Mexican-Americans on the boards of state agencies and universities;
2-17 and
2-18 WHEREAS, Throughout his 18-year tenure in the legislature,
2-19 this esteemed lawmaker was unwavering in his commitment to
2-20 improving educational opportunities for the people of South Texas
2-21 and worked tirelessly for the creation and funding of Pan American
2-22 University as a four-year, state-supported institution; and
2-23 WHEREAS, He became a prominent force in shaping Texas policy,
2-24 legislation, and appropriations; vice-chairman of the House Rules
2-25 Committee during the 61st Legislature and chairman of the House
2-26 Agriculture Committee during the 62nd Legislature, this outstanding
2-27 legislator also served on the Senate Committees on Administration,
3-1 Jurisprudence, and State Affairs; and
3-2 WHEREAS, In recognition of his outstanding contributions to
3-3 his constituents and to the entire State of Texas, Senator Longoria
3-4 served as Governor for a Day on December 9, 1978, during his tenure
3-5 as president pro tempore of the senate; and
3-6 WHEREAS, On January 2, 1981, this accomplished public servant
3-7 resigned from the Texas Senate to serve as judge of the 139th
3-8 Judicial District Court in Hidalgo County and four years later
3-9 became the first Mexican-American ever to hold the position of
3-10 judicial section chairman for the State Bar of Texas; and
3-11 WHEREAS, With the assistance of his wife, Earlene, who has
3-12 maintained the Longoria legal practice, managed campaign publicity,
3-13 and written speeches and hundreds of letters for him, Judge
3-14 Longoria has built an extraordinary record of service to the
3-15 citizens of the State of Texas, and his many accomplishments are
3-16 indeed deserving of special legislative recognition; now,
3-17 therefore, be it
3-18 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
3-19 Legislature hereby commend the Honorable Raul L. Longoria for his
3-20 exemplary contributions to his nation, state, and community; and,
3-21 be it further
3-22 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-23 prepared for Judge Longoria as an expression of highest esteem by
3-24 the Texas House of Representatives.
3-25 Cuellar of Hidalgo
3-26 Munoz
3-27 De La Garza
4-1 Cuellar of Hidalgo
4-2 Munoz
4-3 De La Garza