1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 641
 1-3                                  In Memory
 1-4                                     of
 1-5                        The Honorable John C. Alaniz
 1-6           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens
 1-7     of San Antonio in mourning the loss of the Honorable John C. Alaniz,
 1-8     who died on March 26, 2001, at the age of 71; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, A noted attorney, legislator, and civic leader,
1-10     John Alaniz was the first Mexican-American elected to the
1-11     Texas State House of Representatives from Bexar County; and
1-12           WHEREAS, This outstanding representative served his state
1-13     in an elective office from 1961 through 1965; he was known for
1-14     instituting new ideas, and he introduced the first food stamp law
1-15     in the State of Texas; and
1-16           WHEREAS, A man who campaigned for a more progressive state
1-17     for all Texans, Representative Alaniz was the first author of the
1-18     state bilingual education act in 1961; he was also a leader in
1-19     passing a law for single-member districts for the State House of
1-20     Representatives and the State Senate and for eliminating the poll
1-21     tax as a qualification for voting; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, In 1963, Representative Alaniz was the first
 2-2     Mexican-American to run for Speaker of the House of Representatives,
 2-3     and he introduced the first state legislation amendment giving
 2-4     equal rights to women and minorities; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, Recognized as an outstanding civil rights leader
 2-6     in the 1960s and the 1970s, John Alaniz helped pave the way for the
 2-7     civil and economic achievements of today; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, A man of integrity, strength, and generosity,
 2-9     he gave unselfishly of his time to others, and his wisdom and
2-10     generous counsel will not be forgotten by all whose lives he
2-11     touched; and
2-12           WHEREAS, John Alaniz leaves a legacy of compassion and
2-13     commitment that will remain cherished by all who shared his life;
2-14     he will be greatly missed; now, therefore, be it
2-15           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-16     77th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the
2-17     members of his family:  his sons, Alfred, Aaron, Jake, and Robert;
2-18     his daughters, Dianne, Anet, and Rebecca; his brother,
2-19     Robert Alaniz; and his 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild;
2-20     and, be it further
2-21           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his
2-22     family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate,
2-23     and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
2-24     the Honorable John C. Alaniz.
 3-1                                                            Van de Putte
 3-2                                  ______________________________________
 3-3                                          President of the Senate
 3-4                                       I hereby certify that the above
 3-5                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
 3-6                                  on April 3, 2001, by a rising vote.
 3-7                                  ______________________________________
 3-8                                          Secretary of the Senate
 3-9                                  ______________________________________
3-10                                           Member, Texas Senate