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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Residents of Edinburg lost an admired civic leader |
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and a cherished friend with the passing of Alfredo R. Longoria on |
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March 22, 2009, at the age of 80; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Edinburg in 1928, Fred Longoria went on to |
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serve in the National Guard, and he became a successful businessman |
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in his hometown; he was the owner of Fred's Food Store, Clean Rite |
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Janitorial Supplies, and Sweet Scent; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1992, Mr. Longoria joined the Edinburg City |
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Council with the pledge to find solutions to alleviate downtown |
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flooding, which occurred when heavy rains inundated the area; he |
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remained true to his word, and his efforts resulted in the |
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installation of a more effective drainage infrastructure; |
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throughout his decade-long tenure in municipal government, he held |
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the positions of city commissioner, mayor pro tempore, and member |
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of the Edinburg Planning and Zoning Department; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Longoria was an integral part of the councils |
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that significantly changed the image and economic vitality of |
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Edinburg; along with his colleagues, he contributed to the creation |
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of the Edinburg Cable Network, the World Birding Center, and The |
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University of Texas Regional Academic Health Center Medical |
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Research Division in Edinburg, as well as to the renovation of the |
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South Texas International Airport at Edinburg and the construction |
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of the Edinburg Professional Baseball Stadium; a champion for |
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municipal improvements, Mr. Longoria worked with the city council |
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to secure state funding for local and state roadway system upgrades |
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and to bring jobs and construction projects to the region, thereby |
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greatly enhancing the role of Edinburg in the economy of South |
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Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan further distinguished himself |
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as a member of the board of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce and as |
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president of the board of Amigos del Valle; he was also a congregant |
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at St. Joseph Catholic Church; and |
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WHEREAS, With his kindness and generosity, Fred Longoria |
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demonstrated an enduring commitment to his fellow citizens, and his |
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notable legacy of public service will not soon be forgotten by all |
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those whose lives he touched; 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 memory of Alfredo R. Longoria |
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and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his |
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wife, Sylvia Longoria; to his children, Clarissa Longoria Pena and |
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her husband, Aron Leonel, Priscilla Olivarez and her husband, Rick, |
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Michelle Guerrero and her husband, Manuel, Derek Ruiz and his wife, |
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Sandy, Gina Longoria, Lolly Pena and her husband, Jesus, and Fred |
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Longoria, Jr., and his wife, Allison; to his 14 grandchildren; to |
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his siblings, Miguel Longoria and his wife, Angie, Charlie Longoria |
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and his wife, Kay, and Olga Deroaul and her husband, Henri; to his |
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sister-in-law, Leonor Longoria; and to his other relatives and many |
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friends; and, be 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 Fred |
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Longoria. |