1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1121 1-3 In Memory 1-4 of 1-5 The Honorable Raul L. Longoria 1-6 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins citizens of the 1-7 Rio Grande Valley in mourning the death of the distinguished former 1-8 member of the Texas Senate, Raul L. Longoria, who died May 7, 2001, 1-9 at the age of 80; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Raul L. Longoria was born to Andres and Maria Enriquetta 1-11 Longoria on February 22, 1921, in the small community of La Grulla, in 1-12 Starr County, where his family had originally settled in 1749; and 1-13 WHEREAS, A veteran of World War II, Raul L. Longoria served his 1-14 country valiantly in the European Theater of Operations from 1942 to 1-15 1946; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Upon returning from his tour of duty, Raul L. Longoria 1-17 attended The University of Texas School of Law in Austin, where he 1-18 graduated in 1952 with a Juris Doctor Degree; and 1-19 WHEREAS, A longtime resident of the Rio Grande Valley, 1-20 Raul L. Longoria began a career in public office in 1960 when he was 1-21 elected to the Texas House of Representatives and served six terms 1-22 until 1972 when he was elected to the Texas Senate and served until 1-23 1981 when he resigned to become 139th District Judge in Hidalgo County 2-1 until his retirement in 1994; and 2-2 WHEREAS, As a State Representative and Senator, Raul L. Longoria 2-3 was widely respected as a champion of Hispanic causes; in particular, 2-4 he fought to improve public and higher education in the Rio Grande 2-5 Valley; he also took a strong interest in the welfare and protection 2-6 of migrant workers; and 2-7 WHEREAS, During his legislative career he sponsored legislation 2-8 in the areas of labor, health, and education, and served on key 2-9 committees, including the powerful House Appropriations Committee and 2-10 the Senate Finance Committee; and 2-11 WHEREAS, While in the Texas Senate, Raul L. Longoria was elected 2-12 president Pro Tem by his Senate colleagues and served as "Governor for 2-13 a Day" on December 9, 1978; in 1979, he and 11 other loyal Democratic 2-14 Texas Senators participated in the celebrated flight of the "Killer 2-15 Bees" to block passage of legislation which would have impacted the 2-16 1980 presidential primary election; and 2-17 WHEREAS, Raul L. Longoria's determined legislative efforts 2-18 afforded thousands of Texans the opportunity for economic and social 2-19 advancement, and he will be remembered by future generations as an 2-20 outstanding South Texas civil rights leader and a dedicated public 2-21 servant; and 2-22 WHEREAS, In recognition of all that he accomplished, a major 2-23 Hidalgo County boulevard was renamed in his honor, and the 2-24 "Raul L. Longoria Elementary School" was named and dedicated in 2-25 his honor in the Pharr-San-Juan-Alamo School District; and 2-26 WHEREAS, Judge Raul L. Longoria gained stature as a legend 3-1 whose name and memory will be a part of the living history of the 3-2 Rio Grande Valley; now, therefore, be it 3-3 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-4 77th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the family of 3-5 Judge Raul L. Longoria: his wife of 53 years, Earlene M. Longoria; 3-6 his sons and daughters-in-law, Sam and Cher Longoria and Roy and 3-7 Margot Longoria; his daughters, Janiece Longoria, Elaine L. Fannin, 3-8 and Cecilia J. Longoria; his four grandchildren, Martin Longoria, 3-9 Eduardo Longoria, and Elizabeth and Andrew Chambers; his sister, 3-10 Sylvia Codina and her husband, Luis; his brother, Henry Longoria; 3-11 and his sister-in-law, Gladys Longoria; and, be it further 3-12 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 3-13 the family of Judge Raul L. Longoria as an expression of deepest 3-14 sympathy and appreciation for his service to our country and to the 3-15 State of Texas from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns 3-16 this day, it do so in memory of the Honorable Raul L. Longoria, may he 3-17 rest in peace. 3-18 Truan Gallegos Moncrief 3-19 Barrientos Lucio Whitmire 3-20 Ellis Madla Zaffirini 3-21 Armbrister Fraser Shapiro 3-22 Bernsen Harris Shapleigh 3-23 Bivins Haywood Sibley 3-24 Brown Jackson Staples 3-25 Cain Lindsay Van de Putte 3-26 Carona Nelson Wentworth 3-27 Duncan Ogden West 3-28 Ratliff, President of the Senate 3-29 ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ 3-30 Dean of the Senate Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate 3-31 ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ 3-32 Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate 4-1 ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ 4-2 Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate 4-3 ________________________________ 4-4 President of the Senate 4-5 I hereby certify that the 4-6 above Resolution was adopted by 4-7 the Senate on May 21, 2001, by 4-8 a rising vote. 4-9 ________________________________ 4-10 Secretary of the Senate