H.R. No. 961



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Renato Ramirez of Zapata has contributed greatly to 
his community, state, and nation through his professional and 
personal efforts, and he is indeed deserving of special 
recognition; and
	WHEREAS, President of IBC Bank Zapata, Mr. Ramirez came to 
Zapata at the bank's founding in 1983, and he remains a staunch 
supporter of commercial growth in the border area; before joining 
the staff of the institution, which today is part of a rapidly 
growing Texas-owned network of banks, he was a manager of foreign 
loans to Mexico under the export/import program in Laredo; and
	WHEREAS, This impressive banker also taught for more than 10 
years at Laredo State University and Louisiana State University, 
where he also held the post of associate dean of LSU's Escuela 
Bancaria Superior de Centro-America; further, he served as a 
consultant to the Tennessee Valley Authority on the impact of 
banking practices on regional economic development; and
	WHEREAS, Bilingual and bicultural, Mr. Ramirez is also one of 
those rare Texans who knows how to "gig 'em" as well as "hook 'em," 
having earned a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University and a 
master of business administration degree from The University of 
Texas; he has also completed graduate studies toward a doctorate in 
finance and economics at the University of Tennessee; and
	WHEREAS, This generous individual devotes considerable time 
to civic endeavors benefiting his fellow citizens; chair of the 
Zapata County Appraisal District, he has chaired the Improve Falcon 
Lake Committee and the board of the Zapata County Water, Sewer and 
Waste Disposal Committee and is an advocate for the issues of water 
management and quality; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Ramirez is a past vice chair of the South Texas 
Private Industry Council and has served as president of the Zapata 
County Independent School District board, the Zapata Boys and Girls 
Club, and the Zapata Golf Club Association; he also is on the boards 
of the Laredo United Way and the Texas Agricultural Finance 
Authority; and
	WHEREAS, Renato Ramirez is truly benefiting countless 
individuals through his professional and volunteer efforts, and his 
outstanding service in South Texas is an inspiration to us all; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor Renato Ramirez for his myriad 
contributions to the quality of life in the Lone Star State, and 
extend to him best wishes for the future; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mr. Ramirez as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                         Guillen

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 961 was adopted by the House on May 
16, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House