By Gallego                                             H.R. No. 704
         77R9774 MMS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Honorable Reynaldo Garza of Brownsville, the
 1-2     first Mexican-American appointed to the federal judiciary, has
 1-3     served with distinction in that capacity for 40 years; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, A 1939 graduate of The University of Texas School of
 1-5     Law, Judge Garza was appointed by President John F. Kennedy to the
 1-6     U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in 1961, and
 1-7     in 1974 he was named the chief judge of that district; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, So respected was Judge Garza's work with the
 1-9     Southern District of Texas that when President Jimmy Carter was
1-10     forming his first cabinet, he offered this noted jurist the post of
1-11     U.S. attorney general, an office Judge Garza declined in order to
1-12     remain on the federal bench; and
1-13           WHEREAS, In 1979 President Carter appointed Judge Garza to
1-14     the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, where he currently
1-15     serves as senior judge; in 1987 Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist
1-16     named him chief judge of the U.S. Temporary Emergency Court of
1-17     Appeals; and
1-18           WHEREAS, Judge Garza has also rendered important service in
1-19     the field of education as a member of his local school board and
1-20     several statewide education committees, and he has shared his time
1-21     and talents with academic, charitable, and religious organizations;
1-22     and
1-23           WHEREAS, The numerous accolades bestowed on Judge Garza
1-24     include Distinguished Alumnus awards from The University of Texas
 2-1     at Austin and the UT Law School, repeated recognition from the
 2-2     Roman Catholic Church, and the naming of two public schools in his
 2-3     honor; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, Through his outstanding professional achievements
 2-5     and his whole-hearted commitment to building a strong, just
 2-6     society, Judge Garza has won the deep esteem and affection of
 2-7     countless friends and colleagues, and it is altogether fitting that
 2-8     he be recognized by this body; now, therefore, be it
 2-9           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-10     Legislature hereby pay special tribute to the Honorable Reynaldo
2-11     Garza for his 40 years' service with the federal judiciary and
2-12     extend to him its sincere appreciation for his eminent
2-13     contributions in behalf of the people of Texas; and, be it further
2-14           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-15     prepared for Judge Garza as an expression of high regard by the
2-16     Texas House of Representatives.