79R17834 JTR-D

By:  Escobar                                                      H.R. No. 1846


R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Sergio Munoz of Bluetown, one of the Rio Grande Valley's smallest communities, has brought his academic career to a successful and long-awaited completion, and this achievement truly merits special recognition; and WHEREAS, Mr. Munoz is the son of proud parents Agustin and Rosa Maria Munoz, who laid the foundation for their son's future years ago when they left their beloved hometown of Morelia in the Mexican state of Michoacan and migrated as braceros to the United States, where they picked grapes in California, strawberries and cherries in Michigan, and cucumbers in Ohio; and WHEREAS, Although the senior Mr. Munoz found work as a mariachi, freeing his loved ones from the need to pursue migrant work, the family's experience with agricultural work inspired Sergio Munoz to pursue his childhood dream of a college education; and WHEREAS, A well-rounded high school student, the younger Mr. Munoz was a member of the National Honor Society and lettered in band; moreover, he was a starter on the school's first basketball team ever to qualify for the state playoffs and was named the team's Most Dedicated individual player; and WHEREAS, He also lettered in Iron Man varsity football, and as a result was at one point obligated to play both offense and defense for the duration of an entire game and march as a band soloist during halftime; and WHEREAS, Graduating salutatorian of his high school, Mr. Munoz enrolled at The University of Texas at Austin in 1998; at that time, he became a member of Sigma Lambda Beta Latino fraternity and found himself part of a brotherhood of close friends who shared his sense of cultural pride; together they performed community service on weekends and participated in college campus tours; and WHEREAS, Mr. Munoz's college career was temporarily halted in the fall of 2000, when he left school to help care for his ailing parents; following his return to school, his academic performance suffered due to financial difficulties, and his dream of graduating from college as a Longhorn grew more distant; vowing to do whatever it took to gain readmission to UT, he went on to make the Dean's List at both Texas State Technical College and South Texas Community College before being readmitted; and WHEREAS, In December 2004 his years of dedication and hard work were rewarded with his receipt of a bachelor of arts degree in Mexican American studies from UT, and his family was among the crowd at the Frank Erwin Center that saw tears of elation stream down his face with the realization that he was now officially a Texas Ex; and WHEREAS, In becoming the first student from tiny Santa Maria High School to graduate from The University of Texas at Austin, Mr. Munoz fulfilled the dreams of educational opportunity that had been inspired so long ago by his family's journey; and WHEREAS, Now a valued staff member at the Texas State Capitol, Mr. Munoz continues to enjoy the love and support of his family and friends and hopes to inspire other youth from underrepresented areas of the state who share his dedication to education and drive for success to pursue their own goal of a college degree; and WHEREAS, By demonstrating a strong commitment to excellence, Mr. Munoz has earned himself a bright and rewarding career path while earning the respect and admiration of all who know him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas Legislature hereby commend Sergio Munoz for his academic achievement and extend to him best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Munoz as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.