1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 443 1-3 In Memory 1-4 of 1-5 Leo Benavides 1-6 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in 1-7 paying tribute to the life of Leo Benavides on the occasion of 1-8 the presentation of the Leo Benavides Memorial Award, which takes 1-9 place June 6, 1997, at the Downtown Rotary Club of Fort Worth; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Established in honor of Leo Benavides, who died in 1-11 1993, the Leo Benavides Memorial Award is to be given annually to a 1-12 graduating senior of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine; and 1-13 WHEREAS, A graduate of Trinity University, Leo Benavides was 1-14 a teacher and coach and served as Dean of Students and Athletic 1-15 Director at Antonian High School; in the mid-1970s, he became 1-16 Director of the San Antonio Young Men's Christian Association, 1-17 and in 1978, he moved to Fort Worth to become Executive Director 1-18 of the Mental Health Association of Tarrant County; and 1-19 WHEREAS, A man of many talents and wide-ranging expertise, 1-20 Leo Benavides became Executive Director of the Tarrant County 1-21 Medical Society in 1980; as Executive Director, he was responsible 1-22 for coordinating staff, communications, and programs linking 1-23 approximately 2,000 physicians and medical students; and 2-1 WHEREAS, His innovative projects included creating health care 2-2 coalitions that established emergency medical service systems and 2-3 starting a journalistic intern program at the medical society; and 2-4 WHEREAS, An exemplary and distinguished gentleman, 2-5 Mr. Benavides was a highly respected community leader who served 2-6 on the boards of Because We Care, Incorporated, Fort Worth 2-7 Challenge, Red Cross of Tarrant County, and the Fort Worth 2-8 Independent School District Vocational Advisory Board; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Throughout his successful career, Leo Benavides 2-10 remained an avid sports enthusiast who officiated at high school 2-11 football games; as a 50-year-old athlete, he continued to play golf 2-12 and make respectable two-mile runs; he was a member of the Texas 2-13 Christian University Frog Club; and 2-14 WHEREAS, Leo Benavides was a source of pride to Tarrant County 2-15 and was a devoted husband and father who lived his life to the 2-16 fullest; his beloved family includes his wife, Kay Benavides, his 2-17 stepchildren, Kyle and Kelly Loftus, and his parents and brother; 2-18 now, therefore, be it 2-19 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-20 75th Legislature, hereby honor the life of Leo Benavides and 2-21 extend appreciation for the Leo Benavides Memorial Award established 2-22 in his memory; and, be it further 2-23 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-24 the family of Leo Benavides as an expression of esteem from the 2-25 Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do 3-1 so in memory of Leo Benavides. 3-2 Moncrief 3-3 ______________________________________ 3-4 President of the Senate 3-5 I hereby certify that the above 3-6 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-7 on April 7, 1997, by a rising vote. 3-8 ______________________________________ 3-9 Secretary of the Senate 3-10 ______________________________________ 3-11 Member, Texas Senate