1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 740 1-3 In Memory 1-4 of 1-5 The Honorable Renato Cuellar 1-6 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins citizens 1-7 throughout the state in mourning the death of a beloved former 1-8 state representative and county judge, Renato Cuellar, who died 1-9 April 5, 2001; and 1-10 WHEREAS, This well-known South Texas leader was born to 1-11 Erasmo and Carmen Cuellar on July 12, 1927; a native of Weslaco, 1-12 he volunteered to join the United States Navy at age 15, and he 1-13 defended his nation honorably during World War II; and 1-14 WHEREAS, After completing one tour of duty with the Navy, 1-15 Renato enlisted in the United States Marine Corps for two 1-16 additional tours of duty and fought in the Korean War; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Renato worked as a constable and for the Teamsters 1-18 Union, before serving in the Texas Legislature as the Democratic 1-19 Representative from Weslaco from 1987 through 1997; and 1-20 WHEREAS, A distinguished public servant, Renato was respected 1-21 by his colleagues as a thoughtful and quiet legislator, whose calm 1-22 reserve made him particularly adept at the art of compromise; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Also noted for his sincerity, Renato went out of 2-2 his way to endear himself not only to his South Texas constituents, 2-3 but also to citizens across the state, and friends and family 2-4 readily attest that he was most happy when he was representing his 2-5 fellow Texans; and 2-6 WHEREAS, While in the House of Representatives, Renato 2-7 worked especially hard on behalf of The University of Texas--Pan 2-8 American at Edinburg, believing wholeheartedly that Texas could 2-9 only benefit from investing in the education of its young citizens; 2-10 and 2-11 WHEREAS, Renato will also be well remembered for sponsoring 2-12 legislation, signed by Governor Ann Richards, to make the Texas 2-13 Ruby Red Grapefruit grown in his district the official fruit of 2-14 the State of Texas; and while acknowledging that both California 2-15 and Florida produced the citrus, he never hesitated to affirm the 2-16 obvious superiority of the Valley's grapefruit; and 2-17 WHEREAS, In May, 1997, Renato was sworn in as Hidalgo County 2-18 Judge and served in this capacity until 1998, when he retired from 2-19 public life; and 2-20 WHEREAS, Texas has lost a great and dedicated leader in the 2-21 passing of Renato Cuellar; he served his constituents with 2-22 compassion and intelligence, and his efforts have made a positive 2-23 difference in the lives of countless Texans; he will be remembered 2-24 by the constituents he served, and indeed by all Texans, as an 2-25 exemplary and distinguished Texas leader; now, therefore, be it 2-26 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-1 77th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the 3-2 family of former Texas State Representative Renato Cuellar: his 3-3 wife, Maria Elena; his children, Geraldine, Nancy, Renato, Shirley, 3-4 Robert, Arthur, and Edna; and his 19 grandchildren and his five 3-5 great-grandchildren; and, be it further 3-6 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his 3-7 family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate, 3-8 and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 3-9 the Honorable Renato Cuellar. 3-10 Truan Carona Lucio 3-11 Armbrister Duncan Madla 3-12 Barrientos Fraser Moncrief 3-13 Cain Gallegos Van de Putte 3-14 Jackson 3-15 Bernsen Lindsay Sibley 3-16 Bivins Nelson Staples 3-17 Brown Ogden Wentworth 3-18 Ellis Shapiro West 3-19 Harris Shapleigh Whitmire 3-20 Haywood Zaffirini 3-21 Ratliff, President of the Senate 3-22 __________________________ 3-23 Dean of the Texas Senate 3-24 ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ 3-25 Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate 3-26 ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ 3-27 Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate 3-28 ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ 3-29 Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate 3-30 ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ 3-31 Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate 3-32 _______________________________ 3-33 President of the Senate 3-34 I hereby certify that the 3-35 above Resolution was adopted by 3-36 the Senate on April 17, 2001, 3-37 by a rising vote. 3-38 _______________________________ 3-39 Secretary of the Senate