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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, St. Mary's University is paying tribute to Demetrio |
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Rodriguez on February 16, 2007, in conjunction with the Sixth |
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Annual Minority Pre-Law Student Symposium; and |
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WHEREAS, Like his father before him, Mr. Rodriguez dropped |
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out of school at a young age to help support his family; bilingual |
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and able to read, he distinguished himself from his fellow field |
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hands and was soon hired to work as a bookkeeper and guide; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Rodriguez went on to serve his country in the |
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U.S. Navy and as a member of the Air Force Reserve; he spent his |
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career at Kelly Air Force Base, where he was employed for many years |
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as a sheet metal worker; and |
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WHEREAS, The father of five children, Mr. Rodriguez |
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recognized the importance of education and strove to instill this |
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value in his sons and daughter; in 1968, when students at Edgewood |
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High School walked out to protest inadequate supplies, teachers |
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without certification, and buildings in disrepair, he joined with |
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other parents of students to organize the Edgewood District |
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Concerned Parents Association; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Rodriguez became the lead plaintiff in Rodriguez |
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v. San Antonio ISD, which ultimately helped to spark other cases |
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that resulted in the promotion of greater equality in the |
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classroom; and |
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WHEREAS, Through his courageous stand in behalf of a more |
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just and responsible educational system, Demetrio Rodriguez has |
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striven to create a brighter future for all Texans; now, therefore, |
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be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Demetrio Rodriguez for his commitment to |
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social justice and the betterment of public education and extend to |
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him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Rodriguez as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |
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Castro |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 419 was adopted by the House on March |
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1, 2007, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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