By: Rodriguez H.R. No. 715
73R10949 PAN-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, Our esteemed colleague, the Honorable Irma Rangel,
1-2 will celebrate her birthday on May 15, 1993, and it gives the
1-3 members of this chamber great pleasure to recognize her on this
1-4 joyous occasion; and
1-5 WHEREAS, A native of Kingsville, she is the daughter of
1-6 Presciliano Rangel, who became one of the most successful business
1-7 and political leaders in his community, and Herminia Rangel, who
1-8 was the owner of a popular women's dress shop in Kingsville; and
1-9 WHEREAS, One of three daughters who would one day work in the
1-10 field of public service, Ms. Rangel was graduated from Texas A&I
1-11 University in Kingsville and began her career as an educator,
1-12 teaching in the towns of Robstown and Alice and later in Venezuela;
1-13 she also earned well-deserved acclaim in the education community
1-14 early in her career as the author of the book, How to Teach Spanish
1-15 in the Elementary Grades; and
1-16 WHEREAS, In 1965, she pursued a lifelong dream and enrolled
1-17 as a student at St. Mary's School of Law in San Antonio, during
1-18 which time she first became aware of how important it was for
1-19 Chicanos to become more involved and visible in the public sector;
1-20 and
1-21 WHEREAS, While working for the firm of Garcia and Rangel in
1-22 Kingsville, she entered her first political race and was elected
1-23 Kleberg County Democratic Party chairman in 1974; and
1-24 WHEREAS, Ms. Rangel's victory was soon followed by a race for
2-1 a seat in the Texas House of Representatives and, with her
2-2 swearing-in ceremony in January 1977, she became the first
2-3 Mexican-American woman elected to serve in the house; and
2-4 WHEREAS, For 16 years, this highly regarded legislator has
2-5 adhered to the highest standards of excellence as a member of this
2-6 chamber, remaining compassionate toward the needs of the people who
2-7 have sent her to Austin time and again to represent their
2-8 interests; and
2-9 WHEREAS, During her remarkable tenure, Ms. Rangel has lent
2-10 her considerable expertise to committees examining such important
2-11 issues as higher education in Texas, mental health and mental
2-12 retardation, urban affairs, and business and industry; and
2-13 WHEREAS, Drawing on her diverse background as an attorney and
2-14 former educator, Ms. Rangel currently serves as vice-chair of the
2-15 Higher Education Committee and the International and Cultural
2-16 Relations Committee and has shared her leadership abilities in the
2-17 past as vice-chair of the Judicial Affairs Committee and the Urban
2-18 Affairs Committee; and
2-19 WHEREAS, Ms. Rangel also is an active force in the Democratic
2-20 Party, having served as a delegate to the Democratic National
2-21 Convention on two occasions and been appointed to serve on the
2-22 Texas Democratic Party Presidential Selection Commission in 1985;
2-23 and
2-24 WHEREAS, A former member of the Texas Advisory Committee of
2-25 the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, she was elected the
2-26 organization's vice-chair in 1982 and recently was elected to serve
2-27 as a member of the Women's Advocacy Project in Austin and the Task
3-1 Force on Environmental Justice of the Texas Air Control Board; and
3-2 WHEREAS, Elected chair of the Mexican-American Legislative
3-3 Caucus during this session, Ms. Rangel continues to serve as a role
3-4 model and an inspiration to women everywhere, and her many
3-5 contributions to the citizens of Texas as a member of this chamber
3-6 indeed merit special commendation; now, therefore, be it
3-7 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
3-8 Legislature hereby congratulate the Honorable Irma Rangel on the
3-9 occasion of her birthday and extend to her sincere best wishes for
3-10 continued happiness and success in the years to come; and, be it
3-11 further
3-12 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-13 prepared for Representative Rangel as an expression of high regard
3-14 by the Texas House of Representatives.