78R12966 MW-D

By:  Gallego                                                    H.C.R. No. 9  



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, The citizens of Uvalde lost a distinguished 
community leader and Chicano activist on July 6, 2002, when Amaro 
Cardona passed away, leaving a host of friends and admirers to 
deeply mourn his untimely death; and
	WHEREAS, Born on August 17, 1950, Mr. Cardona demonstrated 
from an early age a firm resolve to challenge social injustice; as a 
high school student in Uvalde, he became involved in a local chapter 
of the Mexican American Youth Organization, which had recently been 
established in San Antonio; Mr. Cardona began organizing fellow 
Latino students in Uvalde, leading a protest against police 
brutality and encouraging pride in the students' Chicano heritage; 
and
	WHEREAS, He also developed a determination to address 
community and social issues through the political process; during 
his senior year in high school, he worked tirelessly in behalf of 
Gabriel Tafolla's race for the state legislature, and in the 1970s 
he gave support to the Raza Unida Party; and
	WHEREAS, Impelled by a genuine desire to serve his fellow 
citizens and possessing an instinct for finding solutions, Mr. 
Cardona ran for and won a seat on the county commissioners court in 
1982; he was reelected in 1986 and won a third term in 2002, taking 
51 percent of the vote in a four-way race; and
	WHEREAS, In addition to his efforts in the political arena 
and in public service, Mr. Cardona sought to effect positive change 
through his work for Texas Rural Legal Aid and for the 38th Judicial 
District probation department; and
	WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Amaro Cardona demonstrated an 
unyielding determination to correct society's injustices; his 
dedication and compassion, together with his cheerful nature and 
legendary sense of humor, earned him the lasting respect and 
affection of countless friends and community residents, and his 
spirit will forever brighten and warm their hearts; now, therefore, 
be it
	RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby pay special tribute to the life of Amaro Cardona and extend 
sincere sympathy to his sons, Adrian and Rogelio, and to the other 
members of his family and his many friends; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of 
Amaro Cardona.