1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 97 1-3 WHEREAS, The achievements of Don Jose Gallego Alemani and 1-4 his contributions to the City of Laredo are most impressive and 1-5 are proudly recognized by the Senate of the State of Texas; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Emphatically encouraged by his family to leave 1-7 his native country of Spain to avoid conscription into the militia 1-8 of dictator Francisco Franco, Jose Gallego came to Laredo with his 1-9 wife, Guadalupe Romo, in 1915; they made a loving home for their 1-10 children, Jorge, Maria Luisa Vicharelli, Raul, Jaime, Blanca Chapa, 1-11 Teresa Gutierrez, and Margarita Cremo, in the Gateway City; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Showing the entrepreneurial spirit that enabled him 1-13 to rapidly become a local real estate magnate, Jose Gallego decided 1-14 to build a local resort and entertainment center; the complex was 1-15 called the Buenos Aires Recreational Center, and it consisted of 1-16 two public swimming pools, a tennis court, two dance halls, and a 1-17 skating rink; and 1-18 WHEREAS, At the skating rink, young people of Laredo met 1-19 socially; it was certainly the most popular attraction of the 1-20 center; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Don Jose Gallego was a proponent of education, 1-22 believing in it so strongly that he donated two city blocks of 1-23 land to the City of Laredo for construction of a school in 1918; 2-1 the school was finally built when funds became available for it 2-2 in 1924; and 2-3 WHEREAS, The first school campus was composed of a two-room 2-4 building in which there were only three employees; the school was 2-5 expanded in 1930 and again after a fire in 1970; and 2-6 WHEREAS, On October 11, 1995, the Buenos Aires Elementary 2-7 School dedicated a granite marker honoring this remarkable 2-8 benefactor for his gift of land; and 2-9 WHEREAS, The genius of Don Jose Gallego was evident in 2-10 every aspect of his work and life; his gift to education and 2-11 his construction of a well-known recreational center constitute 2-12 a living legacy of education and culture to the City of Laredo; 2-13 now, therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-15 77th Legislature, hereby honor the generosity of 2-16 Don Jose Gallego Alemani and express its appreciation of his 2-17 gifts to his beloved Laredo; and, be it further 2-18 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as 2-19 an expression of highest regard and esteem from the Texas Senate. 2-20 Zaffirini 2-21 ______________________________________ 2-22 President of the Senate 2-23 I hereby certify that the above 2-24 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-25 on January 25, 2001. 2-26 ______________________________________ 2-27 Secretary of the Senate 2-28 ______________________________________ 2-29 Member, Texas Senate