79R11921 JHS-D

By:  Solis                                                        H.R. No. 1186



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Judge Adolfo G. Betancourt, Sr., a pillar of the 
Brownsville legal community, passed away on March 21, 2005, at the 
age of 82, leaving an impressive legacy of commendable public 
service and unwavering familial devotion; and
	WHEREAS, Born in Brownsville on July 4, 1922, Judge 
Betancourt was a chief felony prosecutor with the Cameron County 
District Attorney's Office for 25 years; he went on to hold elected 
positions as justice of the peace and county court-at-law judge 
before retiring in 1994; and
	WHEREAS, Judge Betancourt served his country in South Asia 
during World War II as a toxic gas handler with the 900th Chemical 
Company of the U.S. Army; for his dedicated service, he earned the 
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars as well as a 
good conduct medal and a World War II Victory Medal; and
	WHEREAS, After graduating from Brownsville High School, 
Judge Betancourt studied at Brownsville Junior College and St. 
Mary's University in San Antonio; before graduating from the South 
Texas College of Law in 1951, he passed the Texas Bar Exam with top 
marks; and
	WHEREAS, Following his retirement from the bench in 1994, he 
was honored by the Cameron County Commissioners Court with "Judge 
A. G. Betancourt Day" on December 14, 1994; this loving tribute 
underscored the tremendous esteem felt for Judge Betancourt and was 
a highlight of his career in public service; and
	WHEREAS, Judge Betancourt was a devoted family man who shared 
the love of his wife, Juanita, for many years until her passing; the 
couple's four children inherited their father's passion for public 
service, with each making vital contributions to their community 
through their vocations and avocations; and
	WHEREAS, The certain knowledge of a life well lived may 
temper the profound sadness that the death of Adolfo G. Betancourt, 
Sr., brings to all who loved him, and it is most fitting that his 
memory be honored at this time; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Adolfo G. Betancourt, 
Sr., and extend deepest sympathy to his family and friends: to his 
children, Adolfo G. Betancourt, Jr., David Arnold Betancourt, 
Dahlia Eliza "Lali" Betancourt, and Laura Lita Serra; to his 
grandchildren, Evelyn Christine Betancourt, David Adolfo 
Betancourt, Adolfo "AB" Betancourt III, Dahlia Alyssa Betancourt, 
and Laurisa Jane and Lauren Celeste Serra; and to the other 
relatives and many friends of this respected jurist; 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 Judge 
Adolfo G. Betancourt, Sr.