1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 612 1-3 In Memory 1-4 of 1-5 Maria del Socorro Ramirez 1-6 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the 1-7 citizens of the Sparks community and El Paso in mourning the 1-8 death of Maria del Socorro Ramirez; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Maria del Socorro Ramirez was a well-known Sparks 1-10 community leader who fought tirelessly on behalf of the poverty 1-11 stricken and devoted her life to improving the conditions of the 1-12 colonias; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Maria Ramirez served as the executive director of 1-14 the Sparks Housing Development Corporation; the center provides 1-15 funding information and technical assistance to Sparks residents 1-16 and serves as a neighborhood advocate on upgrading housing 1-17 conditions; and 1-18 WHEREAS, In an effort to deliver basic services to the 1-19 colonias, she served on a variety of boards, such as the Lower 1-20 Valley Water District; she served as vice chair for the Water For 1-21 Our Children Committee, a committee focused on providing safe 1-22 drinking water for the residents of all colonias; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Mrs. Ramirez administered workshops through the 2-1 La Fe Clinic on teen pregnancy and provided citizenship and health 2-2 classes to Sparks residents; she started the first food bank in 2-3 Sparks and fought injustices by securing help from the El Paso 2-4 Legal Aid and the County Attorney's Office; and 2-5 WHEREAS, An exemplary lady, Maria del Socorro Ramirez 2-6 was respected in the community for her many accomplishments; 2-7 through her expertise, she empowered other women in the community 2-8 and enlightened state and federal agencies on colonia issues; and 2-9 WHEREAS, A woman of uncommon integrity, strength, and 2-10 generosity, she gave unselfishly of her time to others, and her 2-11 wisdom, warmth, and valued counsel will not be forgotten by those 2-12 who knew her; and 2-13 WHEREAS, Maria del Socorro Ramirez was a devoted mother and 2-14 grandmother, and she leaves behind memories that will be treasured 2-15 forever by her family and many friends; now, therefore, be it 2-16 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-17 75th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved 2-18 family of Maria del Socorro Ramirez: her children, Arturo, Jackie, 2-19 George, Rene, and Ruben; and her five grandchildren; and, be it 2-20 further 2-21 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the 2-22 members of her family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the 2-23 Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so 2-24 in memory of Maria Ramirez. 2-25 Shapleigh 3-1 ______________________________________ 3-2 President of the Senate 3-3 I hereby certify that the above 3-4 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-5 on April 30, 1997, by a rising vote. 3-6 ______________________________________ 3-7 Secretary of the Senate 3-8 ______________________________________ 3-9 Member, Texas Senate