SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 312

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 
recognize Maria Martinez Moreno for her commitment to human 
rights and to improving the standard of living of agricultural 
workers in America; and
	WHEREAS, Maria Torres Martinez was born October 22, 1920, 
in Karnes City; she started working in the fields to help her 
family when she only was eight, barely attaining a second-grade 
education; and
	WHEREAS, Maria married Louis Moreno; the couple moved to 
California with their children in 1940, found work in the carrot 
fields of Holtville and raised twelve children; and
	WHEREAS, Despite her limited education and her familial 
obligations, Maria became a crusader for migratory labor in the 
early 1950s, raising such issues as inadequate housing, poor 
sanitation, insufficient insurance and ineffective safety 
conditions; she began working for the American Federation of 
Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and 
enlisted workers in the growing farm workers' union; and
	WHEREAS, She crisscrossed the State of California and 
spoke at rallies, picketed and passed out fliers; she wrote 
letters to important politicians and policymakers; and
	WHEREAS, Maria Moreno died in 1989 after a life of service 
to migratory workers, and the life of this exceptional woman is 
truly worthy of legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, hereby honor the exemplary life of Maria 
Martinez Moreno and pay tribute to her generous spirit and 
visionary leadership; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an 
expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
                                                                       Zaffirini




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on March 7, 2005.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate