R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, For 86 years, Rafaela "Fela" Chapa has lived in the 1-2 Rio Grande Valley, and her efforts to maintain the importance of 1-3 family and community values in this region are truly exemplary; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Born March 21, 1911, in the tiny village of Las 1-5 Penitas, Mrs. Chapa grew up in an atmosphere of love and generosity 1-6 among the Mexican-American population; although there were many 1-7 struggles to contend with, Mrs. Chapa and her 12 brothers and 1-8 sisters were fortunate to have remarkable role models in their 1-9 parents; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Her father, Eusebio de la Garza worked hard to 1-11 support his family, and his dedication enabled young "Fela" to 1-12 pursue an education, an opportunity that was rare for 1-13 Mexican-Americans at the time, particularly women; she attended 1-14 elementary school in Penitas and completed her schooling in nearby 1-15 La Joya in 1933; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Although she aspired to become a nurse, 1-17 circumstances required her to remain at home, where she used the 1-18 knowledge she had gained to educate local children in a small 1-19 "school" next door to her family's house; and 1-20 WHEREAS, In 1935, she married Octavio A. Chapa, and their 1-21 29-year union produced five children, Blanca Estela, Octavio 1-22 Armando, Jr., Joel Ramiro, Alberto Xavier, and David Francisco; and 1-23 WHEREAS, The experience Mrs. Chapa gained while rearing her 1-24 children has provided her with immeasurable insight into gaining 2-1 and maintaining the respect of young people; despite her lack of 2-2 formal teacher training, this remarkable woman has excelled in her 2-3 career as a substitute teacher, relying on her understanding of 2-4 children to guide her in this worthy endeavor; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Mrs. Chapa remains active in her community, and her 2-6 youthful exuberance continues to surprise even those closest to 2-7 her; she is a regular at the McAllen Senior Citizens Center's 2-8 dances and her presence in the lives of her 15 grandchildren and 13 2-9 great-grandchildren is yet another demonstration of her emphasis on 2-10 the importance of family; and 2-11 WHEREAS, By providing guidance and love for the members of 2-12 her family and cultivating an atmosphere of cooperation and trust 2-13 among her friends and neighbors in the Rio Grande Valley, 2-14 Mrs. Chapa has proven that one individual can indeed make a lasting 2-15 difference, and her lifetime commitment to these ideals is truly 2-16 deserving of special legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it 2-17 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-18 Legislature hereby commend Rafaela "Fela" Chapa for her many 2-19 contributions to her family and the citizens of the Rio Grande 2-20 Valley and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success 2-21 and happiness in the future; and, be it further 2-22 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-23 prepared for Mrs. Chapa as an expression of high regard by the 2-24 Texas House of Representatives. Gutierrez Flores _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 833 was adopted by the House on May 23, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House