By Puente H.R. No. 1435 77R11380 GMW-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, It is with a heavy heart that the members of this 1-2 chamber must bid farewell to a former colleague, the Honorable John 1-3 C. Alaniz of San Antonio, who passed away on March 26, 2001, at the 1-4 age of 71; and 1-5 WHEREAS, This distinguished gentleman was the first Mexican 1-6 American elected to the Texas House of Representatives from Bexar 1-7 County, serving from 1961 to 1967; while in office, he championed 1-8 many significant public service issues, introducing the first state 1-9 minimum wage, food stamp, and bilingual education legislation and 1-10 proposing an amendment to give equal rights to women and 1-11 minorities; and 1-12 WHEREAS, A leader of the civil rights movement of the 1960s 1-13 and 1970s, Mr. Alaniz diligently strived to attain equality for 1-14 all; his substantial efforts helped combat segregation, police 1-15 brutality, and discrimination while ensuring better wages and 1-16 workers' rights; moreover, he fought for the inclusion of 1-17 minorities in the political process, imploring the State of Texas 1-18 to implement the "one man-one vote" federal Voting Rights Act; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Mr. Alaniz was not only an exceptional legislator 1-20 and civil rights leader, he was also an outstanding attorney for 1-21 the San Antonio Independent School District, and he drew up 1-22 legislation making the South San Antonio district the first school 1-23 district in the State of Texas to elect trustees from single member 1-24 districts; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Mr. Alaniz devoted himself to 2-2 his family, sharing many wonderful years with his beloved wife, 2-3 Sylvia Alaniz, who preceded him in death; his devotion extended to 2-4 his fellow Texans and to the cause of justice, and countless people 2-5 in the Lone Star State are better for his having lived; now, 2-6 therefore, be it 2-7 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-8 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of John C. Alaniz and 2-9 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his sons, 2-10 Alfred, Aaron, Jacob, and Robert; to his daughters, Diana, Annette, 2-11 and Rebecca; to his grandchildren and his great-grandchild; and to 2-12 his other relatives and many friends; and, be it further 2-13 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-14 prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 2-15 Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of John C. 2-16 Alaniz.