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