H.R. No. 1304



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The year 2002 represented a historic moment in the 
history of the Roman Catholic Church in the Lone Star State, for a 
new Laredo Diocese was created to better serve the needs of the 
citizens of South Texas, and a highly respected member of the 
clergy, the Most Reverend James A. Tamayo,  was appointed to serve 
as its first bishop; and
	WHEREAS, The Laredo Diocese runs along the Rio Grande, 
encompassing seven counties, with Laredo and Eagle Pass as its two 
largest cities, and it will serve a predominantly Hispanic Catholic 
population of nearly 200,000; and
	WHEREAS, The creation of this diocese represents the 
culmination of many years of hard work on the part of Texas bishops, 
who sought this development because of the common concerns shared 
by border communities, including unemployment, poverty, and 
immigration issues; and
	WHEREAS, An ideal choice to lead the diocese, Bishop Tamayo 
brings to his new role a wealth of experience garnered over the past 
26 years, having served in innumerable prestigious capacities; in 
addition to shepherding many parishes, this dedicated gentleman has 
served in such distinguished posts as auxiliary bishop of the 
Diocese of Galveston-Houston, episcopal vicar for clergy and 
Hispanic affairs, chairman of the Priest Personnel Board, and 
episcopal liaison to Diocesan Youth; and
	WHEREAS, Born October 23, 1949, in Brownsville, Bishop Tamayo 
graduated with honors from the University of St. Thomas in Houston 
and returned to earn a master's degree; he accepted his calling to 
the priesthood on June 11, 1976, when he was ordained in Corpus 
Christi Cathedral by the Most Reverend Thomas J. Drury; and
	WHEREAS, With his new appointment, Bishop Tamayo is ushering 
in an exciting new period of change and progress for the citizens of 
South Texas, and his leadership will undoubtedly help to further 
unite border communities in working toward common goals and move 
the Laredo Diocese forward in faith, hope, and charity; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Bishop James A. Tamayo on his 
appointment as the first bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of 
Laredo and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success 
and fulfillment in the years to come; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Bishop Tamayo as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                         Raymond

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 1304 was adopted by the House on May 
24, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House