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78R8648 KMP-D

By:  Chavez                                                       H.R. No. 1443



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The National Credit Union Foundation presented 
Rufino Carbajal, Jr., of El Paso with the industry's highest honor, 
the Herb Wegner Memorial Individual Achievement Award in February 
2003; and
	WHEREAS, Reserved for those credit union executives who have 
shown exceptionally innovative and creative leadership, this honor 
is a fitting tribute to this dedicated professional who for 27 years 
has helped countless Texans to receive much-needed  financial 
services; and
	WHEREAS, An Army veteran who attended The University of Texas 
at El Paso, Mr. Carbajal became a leader in the West Texas business 
community after completing his education, and in 1976 he was named 
manager of the Tri-State Wholesale Associated Grocers Federal 
Credit Union; and
	WHEREAS, Under his able guidance, this small enterprise grew 
from a one-person operation to a full-service financial institution 
that today employs more than three dozen Texans, serves 11,800 
members at three locations, and manages more than $35 million in 
assets; during his fine tenure with the organization, Mr. Carbajal, 
who also serves on the state's Credit Union Commission, has 
successfully overseen a merger with the West Texas Credit Union 
and, as a result of his visionary approach to service, the 
institution is positioned at the forefront of banking technology, 
offering its members Internet banking, audio response, and imaging 
services; and
	WHEREAS, These achievements are all the more remarkable in 
light of the unique challenges facing this Lone Star credit union 
and its members, 70 percent of whom are minimum-wage earners with 
very limited credit experience; over the course of his exemplary 
career, Mr. Carbajal has introduced a cutting-edge risk-based 
lending system, offering individual development accounts, 
providing low-cost international wire transfers, and cofounding 
the El Paso Credit Union Affordable Housing LLC, a nationally 
renowned program that funds mortgages, counsels members, 
translates financial planning materials, and develops and teaches 
financial literacy courses in both English and Spanish; and
	WHEREAS, In his role as chief executive officer of the West 
Texas Credit Union, Mr. Carbajal has proven himself to be a man of 
vision, determination, and compassion, and his legacy of sound 
financial stewardship will continue to positively affect the lives 
of many Texans for generations to come; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Rufino Carbajal, Jr., on his 
receipt of the Herb Wegner Memorial Individual Achievement Award 
from the National Credit Union Foundation and extend to him warmest 
best wishes for continued success in his future endeavors; and, be 
it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mr. Carbajal as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.