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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Willacy County lost a respected leader with the |
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passing of the Honorable Simon Salinas on March 9, 2009, at the age |
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of 72; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of the Lone Star State, Simon Salinas was |
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born in Harlingen on January 26, 1937, to Benito and Elena Salinas; |
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he grew up as a migrant worker, and this early experience led him to |
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recognize the importance of hard work and perseverance; he enlisted |
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in the United States Navy and ended his tour of duty as a seaman, |
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earning the Navy Occupation Service Medal with Europe Clasp award |
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for his distinguished service; and |
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WHEREAS, Judge Salinas became involved in community affairs |
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in 1961 as an advocate for a clean water supply for the citizens of |
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Sebastian, and by 1965 he was chairman of the newly formed Sebastian |
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Municipal Water District; he went on to serve several terms on the |
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board of trustees of the Lyford Consolidated Independent School |
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District, and in 1984 he was elected county commissioner for |
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Willacy County; and |
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WHEREAS, This notable Texan was elected county judge in 1994, |
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a position he held until his retirement in 2007; during his tenure, |
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he led the county from a $1.2 million budget deficit to a |
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financially sound, balanced budget and helped it to gain access to |
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more than $15 million in state community grants, much of the funds |
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of which went to address the environmental, health, and basic |
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infrastructure needs of colonia residents; and |
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WHEREAS, Judge Salinas also played an integral role in the |
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development of a prison and a detention center in Willacy County, |
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and he worked to encourage the aerospace technology industry to |
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come to the county; and |
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WHEREAS, Devoted to his family, he shared many years with his |
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wife, Estella, and he lovingly helped to raise four children, Noemi |
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Chestnutt, Maria Elena Salinas, Rosario Cedillo, and Joe Salinas; |
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after retiring, he returned to his farm, where he tended to his |
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watermelon patches and other crops; in his free time, he enjoyed |
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traveling the state to find and collect vintage tractors; and |
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WHEREAS, Simon Salinas made significant contributions to |
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Willacy County and its citizens, and although he will be missed by |
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all who knew him, his spirit will live on in their hearts for years |
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to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Simon |
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Salinas and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to |
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his wife, Estella; to his children, Noemi Chestnutt, Maria Elena |
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Salinas, Rosario Cedillo, and Joe Salinas; to his two |
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grandchildren; and to his other relatives and many friends; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of former |
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Willacy County Judge Simon Salinas. |
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Rios Ybarra |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1041 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the House on March 26, 2009. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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