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.