SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 389
In Memory
of
Raul A. Besteiro
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens
of Brownsville in mourning the loss of Raul A. Besteiro, Jr., who
died November 14, 2004, at the age of 69; and
WHEREAS, Raul Besteiro, known to his friends as "Mr. B.,"
earned a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin
and a master's degree from Texas A&I University in Kingsville;
and
WHEREAS, From 1997 until his death, Mr. Besteiro served as
director and chief executive officer of the Port of Brownsville;
formerly, he was a schoolteacher and a principal with the
Brownsville Independent School District before serving as the
district's superintendent from 1976 to 1989; and
WHEREAS, A highly respected community leader, he played an
instrumental role in the passage of the North American Free
Trade Agreement legislation and worked diligently to improve the
economy of the Rio Grande Valley; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Besteiro's many civic and professional
positions included the chairmanship of the board of the
International Bank of Commerce for Cameron County and the vice
chairmanship of the Brownsville & Rio Grande Railroad; in
addition, he was a member of the Institutional Development
Board at The University of Texas at Brownsville and of the
Rio Grande Valley Partnership; he served as board president of
the Historical Brownsville Museum, and he was a member of
United Way of South Texas and the American Cancer Society; and
WHEREAS, For his many years of outstanding educational
service, the Brownsville Independent School District named the
Besteiro Middle School in his honor in 1994; he was named a
Distinguished Alumnus by The University of Texas at Brownsville
in 2000, and he was inducted into the Legends of Texas Hall of
Fame in 2001 for his contributions to the community and state;
and
WHEREAS, Raul Besteiro lived his life to the fullest and
was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he leaves
behind memories that will be treasured forever by his family and
many friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the
bereaved family of Raul A. Besteiro, Jr.: his wife,
Guillermina Besteiro; his son, Raul Adrian Besteiro III; his
daughters, Mina Fernandez, Pilar Herrera, Lucy Martin,
Adriana McKinney, and Cecilia Besteiro; and his six grandchildren;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the
Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do
so in memory of Raul A. Besteiro, Jr.
Lucio
Armbrister Fraser Seliger
Averitt Gallegos Shapiro
Barrientos Harris Shapleigh
Brimer Hinojosa Staples
Carona Jackson Van de Putte
Deuell Janek Wentworth
Duncan Lindsay West
Ellis Madla Whitmire
Eltife Nelson Williams
Estes Ogden Zaffirini
Dewhurst, President of the Senate
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 14, 2005, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate