By:  Hamric                                                       H.R. No. 1194



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, May 15, 2003, would have been the 72nd birthday of 
State Representative Irma Rangel, who passed away on March 18, 
2003, and this sad occasion provides an ideal moment for her 
colleagues to reflect on her contributions to this body and to the 
State of Texas; and
	WHEREAS, A graduate of Texas A&I University and St. Mary's 
University, this esteemed woman began her storied tenure in the 
Texas House of Representatives in 1977 as the first Mexican 
American woman elected to serve in this chamber; and
	WHEREAS, Representative Rangel's remarkable legacy of public 
service spanned more than two decades, and during that period her 
enthusiasm, charm, and resiliency were as constant as her belief in 
the power of the governmental process to have a positive effect on 
people's lives; throughout her years as a house member, she could 
always be counted on for a smile or an encouraging comment when it 
was most needed and she was accorded by many grateful young members 
the unofficial title of "den mother" for her mentoring and support; 
and
	WHEREAS, Highly knowledgeable in a variety of areas, she was 
particularly effective addressing the complex issue of higher 
education, and one of her most important legislative achievements 
guaranteed admission to state colleges and universities for all 
students who graduated in the top 10 percent of their class; and
	WHEREAS, Representative Rangel's many accomplishments were 
recognized with a variety of well-deserved accolades during her 
lifetime; an inductee of the Texas Women's Hall of Fame in 1994 by 
Governor Ann Richards, she was voted Woman of the Year in 1998 by 
the Texas Young Democrats, and was selected as Legislator of the 
Year in 1997 by the Mexican American Bar Association; and
	WHEREAS, The profound loss of the dynamic and ebullient 
presence of Irma Rangel from this chamber is still deeply felt by 
all those who shared her commitment to creating a brighter future 
for all Texans, and it is indeed appropriate that we pause on the 
date of her birth to again honor her life's achievements; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor the memory of our esteemed colleague, 
State Representative Irma Rangel.