R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Juanita Quinteros of El Paso has dedicated her life 1-2 to helping others, especially the elderly, and her many 1-3 accomplishments are truly deserving of special recognition; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Mrs. Quinteros started working when she was 14 to 1-5 help support her family; while working, she received a scholarship 1-6 to attend the Jesus and Mary Academy, a business academy, where she 1-7 excelled academically; after graduating in 1947 with honors, 1-8 Mrs. Quinteros was employed by the State National Bank until she 1-9 quit to be a full-time homemaker; and 1-10 WHEREAS, When her children were old enough to go to school, 1-11 she accepted a job as a community developer with Project Bravo in 1-12 1967 and was later promoted to senior citizen coordinator; 1-13 responsible for countless programs benefiting El Paso's senior 1-14 citizens, Mrs. Quinteros organized the first senior citizens group, 1-15 Juventud Del Pasado, secured funding for the first senior citizens 1-16 community center, and participated in an outreach program that 1-17 enrolled 600 senior citizens into the Medicaid program; and 1-18 WHEREAS, From 1971 to 1981 she served as the Texas 1-19 representative to the White House Conference on Aging and was 1-20 renominated in 1981 to serve another decade; in this capacity, 1-21 Mrs. Quinteros accomplished many good works for the elderly and for 1-22 El Paso, including ensuring the creation of the Nutrition Senior 1-23 Citizens Centers and the establishment of the metro system in El 1-24 Paso; and 2-1 WHEREAS, In 1977 she was invited by the League of United 2-2 Latin American Citizens to set up the LULAC Project Amistad 2-3 Program, a protective services project for the elderly; serving 2-4 first as its program coordinator and then as field staff 2-5 supervisor, she helped to set up the foster care program and open 2-6 the first three foster care homes; and 2-7 WHEREAS, In 1986, this esteemed lady furthered her commitment 2-8 to the concerns of the elderly by becoming manager of the Good 2-9 Samaritan Towers, a residential complex for seniors; she 2-10 established the first resident advisory committee and secured 2-11 various city grants as well as donations from Levi-Strauss and the 2-12 Kiwanis Club to make major renovations and improvements to the 2-13 facility; she also helped to create the Fort Bliss Doll Ladies 2-14 Organization and initiated a project that taught English and 2-15 citizenship, helping 53 residents to become U.S. citizens; and 2-16 WHEREAS, Mrs. Quinteros has greatly helped El Paso's needy as 2-17 a member of Project Hungry and by securing the help of FEMA money 2-18 through Project Bravo and Project Amistad; she also organized the 2-19 first youth program, instituted the Day Care Teens Group, and 2-20 brought together different religions through prayer meetings at 2-21 Good Samaritan Towers; and 2-22 WHEREAS, Mrs. Quinteros has given her time and energy to 2-23 various organizations, including the Income Assistance Branch 2-24 Advisory Council, the Client Self-Support Services Advisory 2-25 Council, and the Society for Professionals in Aging; she was 2-26 appointed to serve the City of El Paso as a member of the Mayor's 2-27 Advisory Board on Aging; and 3-1 WHEREAS, This notable Texan has received numerous honors and 3-2 accolades throughout the years; she was recognized by the Retired 3-3 Senior Volunteer Program, the Good Samaritan Society, the El Paso 3-4 City Council, and the State of Texas and attorney general; she also 3-5 was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the Texas Department 3-6 of Human Services, the Meritorious Award for Project LULAC Amistad, 3-7 a Certificate of Achievement by the Texas Department of Human 3-8 Resources, and the prestigious Hidalgo Award; and 3-9 WHEREAS, A dedicated civic leader in the El Paso community 3-10 and a diligent advocate for the area's elderly, Mrs. Quinteros is 3-11 undoubtedly admired and greatly appreciated by the countless people 3-12 she has helped throughout El Paso and the Lone Star State, and she 3-13 is most deserving of special recognition; now, therefore, be it 3-14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 3-15 Legislature hereby commend Juanita H. Quinteros for her life's 3-16 accomplishments and extend to her best wishes for the future; and, 3-17 be it further 3-18 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-19 prepared for Mrs. Quinteros as an expression of high regard by the 3-20 Texas House of Representatives. Chavez _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 824 was adopted by the House on May 18, 2001, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House