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78S10746 MW-D

By:  Wise                                                         H.R. No. 144



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The 58th anniversary of Lupita Cantu's Mer-Tex Café
offers an ideal opportunity to recognize the oldest eatery in 
Mercedes and to honor the remarkable 91-year-old restauranteur who 
runs it; and
	WHEREAS, In her youth, Mrs. Cantu married Jose N. Cantu, a 
cook in a small Mercedes restaurant; while he served in World War II 
with the U.S. Navy, she worked at odd jobs to support herself, 
saving the wartime paychecks Mr. Cantu sent her; and
	WHEREAS, After his service ended, he returned home to find 
his wife had amassed a small fortune; when Mr. Cantu's former boss 
offered to sell the restaurant to the couple in 1945, the Cantus 
bought it, and they ran the successful dining establishment while 
raising seven children; in 1975, the Cantus had a taste of fame when 
their café was featured in the Mexican movie, Me Caiste de Cielo, 
staring Lola Beltrán; and
	WHEREAS, Mrs. Cantu continued to run the restaurant after her 
husband passed away in 1979; the hub of the Mercedes community, 
Mer-Tex has hosted dances for the town's young people and has been a 
popular hangout for years; Mrs. Cantu has been a mother figure to 
many local children, giving them jobs and free food when they were 
in need; and
	WHEREAS, With hard work, dedication, and kindness, Mrs. Cantu 
has made the Mer-Tex Café a fixture in the community and earned a 
special place in the hearts of all who know her; now, therefore, be 
it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby honor Lupita Cantu and her 
Mer-Tex Café and extend to her best wishes for continued success and 
happiness; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mrs. Cantu as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.