R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Chief Alex Longoria of the McAllen 1-2 Police Department on December 19, 2000, at the age of 53, brought a 1-3 profound sense of loss to his family, friends, and community, and 1-4 he will long be remembered by the citizens he so ably served during 1-5 his years in office; and 1-6 WHEREAS, A native Texan, Chief Longoria demonstrated his 1-7 courage and devotion to his country as a member of the U.S. Army 1-8 Military Police Corps in Vietnam before embarking on a 1-9 distinguished career in law enforcement; and 1-10 WHEREAS, He joined the McAllen Police Department as a 1-11 uniformed officer on July 16, 1971; recognized for his dedication 1-12 to duty, integrity, and professionalism, he rose through the ranks 1-13 and in 1985 was named police chief, in which capacity he would 1-14 admirably serve for 15 years; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Chief Longoria brought leadership, stability, and 1-16 innovation to the department during his outstanding tenure; 1-17 increasing the force's operating budget from $4.5 million to $16 1-18 million over 15 years, he significantly upgraded technology, 1-19 improving communication within the department, within the city, and 1-20 with neighboring communities; moreover, he instituted a community 1-21 policing philosophy that led to the establishment of such 1-22 initiatives as foot patrols, K-9 patrols, bike patrols, teen court, 1-23 the D.A.R.E. program, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, and 1-24 numerous others; and 2-1 WHEREAS, A man who could bring people together, Chief 2-2 Longoria gained a well-deserved reputation for his willingness to 2-3 employ innovative solutions to solve tough problems; he also cared 2-4 deeply about those in his command, and he created a fulfilling and 2-5 rewarding work environment while earning the respect and admiration 2-6 of his fellow officers; and 2-7 WHEREAS, Chief Longoria also made a positive impact beyond 2-8 the borders of the Lone Star State; he taught law enforcement 2-9 classes for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Quantico, 2-10 Virginia, and served on national community policing panels; and 2-11 WHEREAS, Throughout his remarkable career, he was honored 2-12 with numerous accolades and received commendations from the White 2-13 House and the U.S. Attorney General's Office for his exemplary 2-14 record of service; and 2-15 WHEREAS, For nearly three decades, Alex Longoria was a model 2-16 officer and a source of encouragement and strength to all who were 2-17 privileged to work with him; although he will be missed, Chief 2-18 Longoria leaves behind an indelible legacy of achievement, and his 2-19 vast contributions to the McAllen community will not soon be 2-20 forgotten; now, therefore, be it 2-21 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-22 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of McAllen police chief 2-23 Alex Longoria and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his 2-24 family: to his wife of 30 years, Maria Margarita Longoria; to his 2-25 three children, Teresa Elena, Alejandro, and Veronica; to his 2-26 grandson, Joshua Anthony; and to his numerous colleagues and other 2-27 friends and relatives; and, be it further 3-1 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-2 prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 3-3 Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Chief Alex 3-4 Longoria of McAllen. Gutierrez _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 830 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 11, 2001. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House