R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, On January 2, 2001, the Honorable Dr. Henry Cuellar,
1-2 the former state representative from Laredo, was sworn in as Texas'
1-3 102nd secretary of state, and his ascension to this prestigious
1-4 post provides a perfect opportunity to recognize his myriad
1-5 achievements; and
1-6 WHEREAS, This distinguished gentleman graduated summa cum
1-7 laude from Laredo Community College and cum laude from Georgetown
1-8 University; he then earned a degree from The University of Texas at
1-9 Austin Law School, a master's degree from Texas A&M International
1-10 University, and a doctorate in government from The University of
1-11 Texas at Austin; and
1-12 WHEREAS, A successful attorney and U.S. Customs broker, Dr.
1-13 Cuellar was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1986
1-14 and immediately excelled as a state legislator, a fact evidenced by
1-15 his being named "Best Freshman of the Year" by former Speaker of
1-16 the House Gib Lewis; and
1-17 WHEREAS, Throughout his seven terms in the house from 1987 to
1-18 2000, he demonstrated immense integrity and leadership while
1-19 striving to bring about positive change in his hometown, Laredo,
1-20 and the entire Lone Star State; Dr. Cuellar sponsored and
1-21 cosponsored many significant pieces of legislation, much of which
1-22 focused on increasing funding for public and higher education,
1-23 assisting law enforcement, creating jobs, helping children and the
1-24 elderly, protecting the environment, and streamlining state
2-1 government; and
2-2 WHEREAS, Although he led countless initiatives that greatly
2-3 benefited Laredo and Webb County, perhaps his most important
2-4 accomplishment while a representative was establishing the Toward
2-5 Excellence, Access, and Success (TEXAS) Scholarship Program, a $100
2-6 million grant program for freshmen entering Texas colleges and
2-7 universities and the largest such program in Texas history; and
2-8 WHEREAS, Dr. Cuellar's legislative service included being a
2-9 valued member of the House Appropriations Committee, for which he
2-10 chaired the public safety, juvenile justice, judiciary, and
2-11 education subcommittees; moreover, he served as vice chair of the
2-12 House Higher Education Committee, as chairman of the House Research
2-13 Organization, as cochair of the TEXAS Grant Oversight Committee,
2-14 and on the Calendars Committee; and
2-15 WHEREAS, The numerous honors duly accorded this esteemed
2-16 gentleman include being named One of the Seven Best Legislators for
2-17 the 72nd Legislature by The Dallas Morning News, the 1998 Laredoan
2-18 of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year by the Make-A-Wish Foundation
2-19 of South and Central Texas, and a Paul Harris Fellow by the Laredo
2-20 Gateway Rotary Club; in addition, he earned Honorable Mention for
2-21 the list of Top Ten Legislators by Texas Monthly magazine, was
2-22 presented the Texas Chamber of Commerce Legislative Leadership
2-23 Award and Distinguished Service Award, and had the distinction of
2-24 having Dr. Henry Cuellar Elementary School named in his honor by
2-25 the Laredo ISD; and
2-26 WHEREAS, His January 2 swearing in to the post of secretary
2-27 of state was a private ceremony conducted by Texas Governor Rick
3-1 Perry, which enabled Dr. Cuellar to promptly fill the recently
3-2 vacated post; shortly thereafter a public ceremony was held in the
3-3 House Chamber, during which numerous family, friends, and state
3-4 dignitaries were on hand to commemorate his appointment to this
3-5 important position; and
3-6 WHEREAS, Much of Dr. Cuellar's success can be attributed to
3-7 the strength he has derived throughout his life from his close-knit
3-8 family; the son of a field worker from the Mexican city of
3-9 Guerrero, he was raised in a family not rich in material
3-10 possessions but immensely wealthy in spirit; today he continues to
3-11 draw inspiration from his loving family, and he is devoted to his
3-12 wife, Imelda, and his two daughters, Christina Alexandra and
3-13 Catherine Ann; and
3-14 WHEREAS, Answering now to Dr. Secretary Henry "Hank" Cuellar,
3-15 Ph.D., Esquire, this estimable gentleman has long been a devoted
3-16 and diligent leader of the Lone Star State, and it is indeed a
3-17 privilege to commend him for his dedication as a public servant and
3-18 to pay tribute to him for being named Texas' 102nd secretary of
3-19 state; now, therefore, be it
4-1 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
4-2 Legislature hereby congratulate our esteemed former colleague, the
4-3 Honorable Dr. Henry Cuellar, on his appointment as Texas' 102nd
4-4 secretary of state and extend to him best wishes for success in his
4-5 future endeavors; and, be it further
4-6 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
4-7 prepared for Dr. Cuellar as an expression of high regard by the
4-8 Texas House of Representatives.
Puente
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 250 was adopted by the House on
February 12, 2001, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House