SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 405
In Memory
of
The Honorable Irma Rangel
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the
citizens of Kingsville and Texans across the state in mourning
the loss of the Honorable Irma Rangel, who died March 18, 2003,
at the age of 71; and
WHEREAS, Irma Rangel was born May 15, 1931, in Kingsville;
she earned a bachelor's degree from Texas A&I University in
Kingsville in 1952; and
WHEREAS, An individual who broke new ground for Mexican
American women in the State of Texas, Irma Rangel pursued the
study and practice of law long before the profession was open to
many minority women; following a 14-year career as a teacher and
principal in South Texas, as well as in California and Venezuela,
she earned a law degree from Saint Mary's University in 1969 and
went on to serve for two years as a law clerk for federal District
Judge Adrian Spears; and
WHEREAS, During 1971 and 1972, Irma Rangel served as one of
the first Mexican American female assistant district attorneys
for Nueces County, and she was the Robstown city attorney from
1975 to 1977; she was a partner in Garcia and Rangel Law Firm from
1973 to 1983 and then had her own practice in Kingsville until
1993; and
WHEREAS, In 1976, Irma Rangel became the first Mexican
American woman elected to the Texas House of Representatives; at
the time of her death during the 78th Legislative Session, she
was serving her 15th term, representing Brooks, Cameron, Jim Hogg,
Kenedy, Kleberg, and Willacy counties and was vice chair of the
Higher Education Committee and a member of the Border and
International Affairs Committee; and
WHEREAS, Representative Rangel had the fifth longest
tenure in the House, and over the years, she achieved a
distinguished record as a legislator; she was the first Mexican
American to serve as chair of the House Committee on Higher
Education and the first Mexican American woman elected as chair
of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus; and
WHEREAS, A fervent supporter of higher education, she
vigorously fought to ensure more resources for our state's higher
education system and supported the expansion of educational
opportunities to all of our state's residents; and
WHEREAS, In 1977, she sponsored House Bill 1755, which
provided employment and educational programs for mothers with
dependent children; in 1997, she sponsored landmark legislation
mandating that students who graduate in the top 10 percent of
their high school class be granted admission to any state
university; in 1999, she co-authored a bill that created the
TEXAS Grant Program, which provided financial support for
approximately 11,000 low-income students to attend college;
during the 77th Legislative Session, she helped assure the
establishment of the first professional school in South Texas,
a pharmacy school for Texas A&M University-Kingsville; and
WHEREAS, During a lifetime of dedicated public service,
Irma Rangel earned the respect and admiration of citizens
throughout our state, and she was rewarded with numerous
accolades; in 1994, she was inducted into the Texas Women's Hall
of Fame, and in 1997, the Mexican American Bar Association
honored her with the Legislator of the Year Award; she earned the
Woman of the Year Award in 1998 from the Texas Young Democrats,
the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000 from the Houston Hispanic
Bar Association, and the Irma Rangel Public Service Award in 2001
from the Kingsville Chamber of Commerce; and
WHEREAS, Irma Rangel brought a wealth of knowledge and
wisdom to her service in the Texas House of Representatives, and
she was a role model for future generations of Texans who dream of
pursuing public service; and
WHEREAS, Noted for her engaging personality, her courage,
and her strength, Irma Rangel lived her life to the fullest and
was beloved by many, and she leaves behind memories that will be
treasured forever by her family and friends throughout the state;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
78th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the
bereaved family of Irma Rangel; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
the members of her family as an expression of deepest sympathy
from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this
day, it do so in memory of the Honorable Irma Rangel.
Lucio
Armbrister
Fraser
Ratliff
Averitt
Gallegos
Shapiro
Barrientos
Harris
Shapleigh
Bivins
Hinojosa
Staples
Brimer
Jackson
Van de Putte
Carona
Janek
Wentworth
Deuell
Lindsay
West
Duncan
Madla
Whitmire
Ellis
Nelson
Williams
Estes
Ogden
Zaffirini
Dewhurst, President of the Senate
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 19, 2003, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate