78R15623 JHS-D

By:  Gallego                                                      H.R. No. 1271



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Lone Star State was built upon the contributions 
of pioneering individuals whose visionary leadership and 
unwavering faith made this state what it is today, and the late 
Representative Irma Rangel continued this important legacy of 
achievement through her countless good works and deeds; and
	WHEREAS, Born in Kingsville to humble, hardworking parents, 
Representative Rangel devoted her life to supporting human rights 
initiatives and meeting the needs of this state's underrepresented 
populations; she earned her undergraduate degree in business from 
Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 1952 and taught school for 
several years before pursuing a law degree from St. Mary's 
University School of Law and becoming an assistant district 
attorney; and
	WHEREAS, First elected to the house of representatives in 
1976, Representative Rangel was the fifth most senior member of the 
house at the time of her passing; during her extraordinary 
legislative career, this esteemed public servant dedicated herself 
to promoting the causes of women, the elderly, migrant workers, and 
victims of abuse; and
	WHEREAS, Appointed chair of the House Committee on Higher 
Education in 1995, she served in that role for four consecutive 
legislative sessions; she was one of the leading proponents of the 
state's efforts to improve public schools and higher education 
systems and sponsored the state law requiring Texas colleges and 
universities to automatically admit high school students who 
graduate in the top 10 percent of their class; and
	WHEREAS, Her indomitable will and unbridled determination 
made her a true pioneer in state government; she was the first 
Mexican American woman elected to the house of representatives, the 
first woman elected chair of the Mexican American Legislative 
Caucus, the first Mexican American to receive the G. J. Sutton Award 
from the Legislative Black Caucus, and the first Mexican American 
woman to be appointed chair of a house committee; and
	WHEREAS, Irma Rangel believed in equality and all the tenets 
of representative government, and as the face of our state 
continues to change, it is indeed appropriate that the portraits on 
the walls of the house chamber include a painting of this 
unforgettable Texas treasure; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby direct the House Administration Committee to 
hang a portrait of the Honorable Irma Rangel in a suitable location 
in the house chamber as a tribute to this remarkable legislative 
pioneer and public servant; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That the chief clerk of the house forward an 
official copy of this resolution to the chairman of the House 
Administration Committee.