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.