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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The outstanding career of a longtime public servant |
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came to a close when the Honorable Simon Salinas stepped down from |
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his position as county judge for Willacy County in January 2007; and |
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WHEREAS, A former migrant worker, Simon Salinas first became |
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involved in community affairs as a young man in the early 1960s; |
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concerned about the quality of water in Sebastian, he helped |
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organize an advocacy group that successfully petitioned for the |
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establishment of the Sebastian Municipal Water District, which he |
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later served as chair; now a state-governed entity known as the |
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Sebastian Utilities District, it serves more than 1,000 area |
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residents; and |
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WHEREAS, Judge Salinas continued his civic leadership as a |
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trustee of the Lyford Independent School District for 15 years |
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before being elected county commissioner in 1984 and county judge |
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10 years later; subsequently reelected several times, he |
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distinguished himself through his ability to develop innovative |
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solutions to complex issues; over the course of his 12-year tenure, |
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he enabled the county to access millions of dollars in state |
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community grants, much of which was allocated to environmental, |
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health, and basic infrastructure needs; moreover, he worked to |
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attract prison development, resulting in the creation of over 500 |
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jobs, and promoted the development of aerospace technology in the |
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region; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Judge Salinas has enjoyed the |
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love and support of his wife, the former Estella Villarreal, as well |
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as his four children and two grandchildren; a member of St. Martin |
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Catholic Church, he is already enjoying his retirement cultivating |
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fruits, vegetables, and sorghum on his 12-acre farm; and |
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WHEREAS, For nearly half a century, Simon Salinas has |
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demonstrated vision, integrity, and dedication in his efforts to |
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enhance the quality of life in Willacy County, and he may reflect |
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with justifiable pride on his myriad contributions to his fellow |
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Texans; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Simon Salinas on his retirement as |
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Willacy County judge and extend to him sincere best wishes for the |
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future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Judge Salinas as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |