79R5723 MMS-D

By:  Gallego                                                      H.R. No. 601



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The community of Del Rio lost a treasured citizen 
with the passing of Dr. Roberto Antonio Cuellar on October 24, 2004, 
at the age of 75; and
	WHEREAS, Born in Del Rio on May 12, 1929, Dr. Cuellar 
graduated as valedictorian from San Felipe High School and earned 
bachelor's and master's degrees at Sul Ross State University; 
following service in the U.S. Army with the Medical Corps, 10th 
Infantry Division, he taught college-level classes in Del Rio for 
several years and then did graduate work in biochemistry at 
Columbia University; he earned his medical degree with honors from 
the University of Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico, in 1965 and later 
pursued a specialization in pathology and forensic medicine, 
completing a five-year residency at The University of Texas Health 
Science Center at San Antonio in 1978; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Cuellar then returned to Del Rio, where he had 
earlier had his private practice, and joined the staff of the Val 
Verde Memorial Hospital, now the Val Verde Regional Medical Center; 
he served as chief of staff at the center in the 1980s and held the 
post of pathology/laboratory director at the time of his passing; 
and
	WHEREAS, A Fellow of the American College of Forensic 
Examiners and a member of that organization's advisory board on 
professional standards, Dr. Cuellar also served as vice councilor 
for the Texas Medical Association Board of Councilors and, from 
1981 until his death, as president of the Val Verde County Medical 
Society; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Cuellar gave generously of his time and talents 
to a number of civic endeavors, serving as chairman of the City of 
Del Rio Citizen's Commission on the Right of Eminent Domain, as a 
member of the citizen's committee to select a site for the Ruben 
Chavira Elementary School, and as a member of the City of Del Rio 
Economic Development Committee and chairman of that body's health 
task force; moreover, he helped to expand medical services and 
training in the community through his instrumental role in securing 
for Del Rio an Area Health Education Center and a baccalaureate 
degree nursing program; and
	WHEREAS, This esteemed gentleman was a longtime member of the 
Jesus M. Limones American Legion Post 595, which he served as 
commander on several occasions, and the Knights of Columbus Council 
No. 2687, receiving Third- and Fourth-Degree Knight honors; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Cuellar was the devoted husband of Maria 
Graciela Cuellar, a proud father, and a loving grandfather; and
	WHEREAS, Through the passionate commitment and immense 
skills that he brought to his profession and his community, Dr. 
Cuellar has left a priceless legacy of improved health care for 
countless Texans, and his memory will be forever cherished by those 
who were blessed to share in the warmth of his love and friendship; 
now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay special tribute to the life of Dr. Roberto 
Antonio Cuellar and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his 
family:  to his wife, Maria Graciela Cuellar; to his daughters and 
sons-in-law, Dr. Veronica G. Cadena and Dr. Antonio Cadena, Jr., 
and Sonia Araceli and John Ramirez; to his grandchildren, Julia 
Theresa, Louis Anthony, Isabella Diane, and Sara Olivia Cadena and 
Roberto Miguel, Cassandra, and Cristina Ramirez; to his sister, 
Maria del Socorro Lichr and her husband, Donald; and to his other 
relatives and many friends; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dr. Roberto 
Antonio Cuellar.