By Gutierrez                                           H.R. No. 761
       74R11253 BNL-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Honorable Fidencio R. Barrera has faithfully
    1-2  served the people of Pharr both as mayor and as a civic leader, and
    1-3  his continuing efforts on their behalf have earned him the
    1-4  community's lasting respect and admiration; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, A graduate of Our Lady of the Lake College in San
    1-6  Antonio, Mr. Barrera enjoyed a distinguished 30-year career in the
    1-7  United States Army, rising through the ranks from private to
    1-8  lieutenant colonel; he served with valor and distinction with the
    1-9  U.S. Army 8th Special Forces Group, Airborne, popularly known as
   1-10  the Green Berets, and earned 17 awards and decorations, including
   1-11  an Air Medal and two Bronze Stars; and
   1-12        WHEREAS, Highly regarded for both his combat and his
   1-13  leadership skills, Mr. Barrera was invited to lecture at the war
   1-14  colleges of the republics of Colombia and Brazil, an honor rarely
   1-15  accorded to officers below the rank of colonel; he used his
   1-16  military skills to benefit the Pharr community by initiating an
   1-17  R.O.T.C. program in the local school district, and he served as the
   1-18  program's first Senior Army Instructor; and
   1-19        WHEREAS, He was elected mayor of Pharr in 1982, and for the
   1-20  next eight years he used his strong, hands-on style of management
   1-21  to secure numerous improvements in public housing, street repairs,
   1-22  and other services for the community; he obtained a low-interest
   1-23  loan to finance the extension of water and sewer services to the
   1-24  colonias around the city, and his innovative project eventually
    2-1  served as a blueprint for state legislation; and
    2-2        WHEREAS, During his accomplished tenure, he founded and
    2-3  served as president of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Conference of
    2-4  Mayors, which enabled elected officials from around the region to
    2-5  work together for their common good; this group led to the
    2-6  formation of the Hidalgo County Elected Officials Association,
    2-7  which includes all elected county officials; and
    2-8        WHEREAS, An esteemed member of the Small Business
    2-9  Administration's Region VI Lower Rio Grande Advisory Council,
   2-10  Mr. Barrera also has shared his expertise and experience with
   2-11  several state, national, and international committees, including
   2-12  the Texas Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council, the Texas
   2-13  Municipal League Legislative Committee, and the U.S. Department of
   2-14  Housing and Urban Development's Mexico/U.S. Binational Committee
   2-15  and Regional Advisory Committee; and
   2-16        WHEREAS, For many years, Mr. Barrera has worked tirelessly
   2-17  for the betterment of his community and state; his efforts have
   2-18  greatly enhanced the quality of life for countless fellow Texans
   2-19  and indeed merit special recognition by the members of this
   2-20  chamber; now, therefore, be it
   2-21        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-22  Legislature hereby commend the Honorable Fidencio R. Barrera for
   2-23  his outstanding service to the Pharr community and extend to him
   2-24  warmest best wishes for continued success and happiness in all his
   2-25  future endeavors; and, be it further
   2-26        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-27  prepared for Mr. Barrera as an expression of high regard by the
    3-1  Texas House of Representatives.