1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 821 1-3 In Memory 1-4 of 1-5 Sulema B. Garza 1-6 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins with 1-7 the citizens of Brooks County in mourning the death of 1-8 Sulema B. Garza, who died April 4, 1999, at the age of 84; and 1-9 WHEREAS, In all her personal endeavors, Miss Garza 1-10 dedicated her life to helping others and her loss will be deeply 1-11 felt by all who had the pleasure to know her; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Born in Falfurrias, Texas, on February 7, 1915, 1-13 she was the youngest of eight children; she graduated from 1-14 Falfurrias High School and attended Texas A&I University, where 1-15 she received a bachelor of arts and a master's degree; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Her childhood dream of becoming a teacher was 1-17 finally realized; a dream that lasted for 20 years until she 1-18 decided to enter the political arena; and 1-19 WHEREAS, In 1955, Miss Garza was elected Brooks County 1-20 Treasurer, the first woman in the history of the county ever to 1-21 be elected to a public office; her dedication as a public servant 1-22 earned her numerous accolades in the 35 years that she held the 1-23 position; and 1-24 WHEREAS, During her tenure, Sulema served as President and 2-1 was elected to the Board of Directors of the County Treasurer's 2-2 Association of Texas; in 1971, she was named "Outstanding County 2-3 Treasurer of Texas"; she retired in 1990; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Ending her public service career gave her even 2-5 more time to spend on her civic-mindedness; Miss Garza served as 2-6 President of the Falfurrias Business and Professional Women's Club, 2-7 the Sacred Heart Club, the Falfurrias Chamber of Commerce, the 2-8 American Cancer Society, and the Woodmen of the World Society; and 2-9 WHEREAS, She also volunteered her time as Treasurer 2-10 of the Salvation Army and the American Cancer Society Memorial 2-11 Fund for more than 30 years; she was Treasurer for the 2-12 Falfurrias-Premont Retired Teachers Association, Saint Vincent 2-13 De Paul's Society, the Brooks County Historical Commission, 2-14 Sacred Heart Church Finance Committee, the Brooks County Hospital 2-15 Auxiliary, and Senior Advocacy in the Coastal Bend; and 2-16 WHEREAS, Being a member of the Brooks County Historical 2-17 Commission, coupled with roots in the area dating back to 1871, 2-18 inspired her to formulate Frontier Week, a celebration honoring 2-19 the frontiersmen who helped make Brooks County what it is today 2-20 and a tribute to people like Miss Garza who dared to forge into 2-21 uncharted territory; and 2-22 WHEREAS, She was a woman of great vitality and involved 2-23 herself wherever needed; this unending dedication to serve did 2-24 not go unrecognized, for she was named "Outstanding Woman of the 2-25 Year of Brooks County" in 1966, the Salvation Army selected her 2-26 as "Woman of the Year" for 1967-1968, and Grey Fest honored her 3-1 as the "Outstanding Senior Citizen of Brooks County"; and 3-2 WHEREAS, Having given of herself so freely and generously 3-3 for well over half a century, her impact on South Texas will not 3-4 soon be forgotten; she paved the way for bringing Brooks County 3-5 into the 1990s, a legacy that will go unchallenged; now, therefore, 3-6 be it 3-7 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-8 76th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the members 3-9 of her family: her daughters, Irene Escalante and Imelda Soliz; 3-10 and her brother, Rodolfo Garza; and, be it further 3-11 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 3-12 the members of her family as an expression of deepest sympathy 3-13 from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, 3-14 it do so in memory of Sulema B. Garza. 3-15 Truan 3-16 Armbrister Gallegos Nixon 3-17 Barrientos Harris Ogden 3-18 Bernsen Haywood Ratliff 3-19 Bivins Jackson Shapiro 3-20 Brown Lindsay Shapleigh 3-21 Cain Lucio Sibley 3-22 Carona Luna Wentworth 3-23 Duncan Madla West 3-24 Ellis Moncrief Whitmire 3-25 Fraser Nelson Zaffirini 3-26 Perry, President of the Senate 3-27 ______________________________________ 3-28 President of the Senate 3-29 I hereby certify that the above 3-30 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-31 on May 3, 1999, by a rising vote. 3-32 ______________________________________ 3-33 Secretary of the Senate 3-34 ______________________________________ 3-35 Dean of the Senate