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