|
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
WHEREAS, Residents of Edinburg lost an admired civic leader |
|
and a cherished friend with the passing of Alfredo R. Longoria on |
|
March 22, 2009, at the age of 80; and |
|
WHEREAS, Born in Edinburg in 1928, Fred Longoria went on to |
|
serve in the National Guard, and he became a successful businessman |
|
in his hometown; he was the owner of Fred's Food Store, Clean Rite |
|
Janitorial Supplies, and Sweet Scent; and |
|
WHEREAS, In 1992, Mr. Longoria joined the Edinburg City |
|
Council with the pledge to find solutions to alleviate downtown |
|
flooding, which occurred when heavy rains inundated the area; he |
|
remained true to his word, and his efforts resulted in the |
|
installation of a more effective drainage infrastructure; |
|
throughout his decade-long tenure in municipal government, he held |
|
the positions of city commissioner, mayor pro tempore, and member |
|
of the Edinburg Planning and Zoning Department; and |
|
WHEREAS, Mr. Longoria was an integral part of the councils |
|
that significantly changed the image and economic vitality of |
|
Edinburg; along with his colleagues, he contributed to the creation |
|
of the Edinburg Cable Network, the World Birding Center, and The |
|
University of Texas Regional Academic Health Center Medical |
|
Research Division in Edinburg, as well as to the renovation of the |
|
South Texas International Airport at Edinburg and the construction |
|
of the Edinburg Professional Baseball Stadium; a champion for |
|
municipal improvements, Mr. Longoria worked with the city council |
|
to secure state funding for local and state roadway system upgrades |
|
and to bring jobs and construction projects to the region, thereby |
|
greatly enhancing the role of Edinburg in the economy of South |
|
Texas; and |
|
WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan further distinguished himself |
|
as a member of the board of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce and as |
|
president of the board of Amigos del Valle; he was also a congregant |
|
at St. Joseph Catholic Church; and |
|
WHEREAS, With his kindness and generosity, Fred Longoria |
|
demonstrated an enduring commitment to his fellow citizens, and his |
|
notable legacy of public service will not soon be forgotten by all |
|
those whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it |
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
|
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Alfredo R. Longoria |
|
and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his |
|
wife, Sylvia Longoria; to his children, Clarissa Longoria Pena and |
|
her husband, Aron Leonel, Priscilla Olivarez and her husband, Rick, |
|
Michelle Guerrero and her husband, Manuel, Derek Ruiz and his wife, |
|
Sandy, Gina Longoria, Lolly Pena and her husband, Jesus, and Fred |
|
Longoria, Jr., and his wife, Allison; to his 14 grandchildren; to |
|
his siblings, Miguel Longoria and his wife, Angie, Charlie Longoria |
|
and his wife, Kay, and Olga Deroaul and her husband, Henri; to his |
|
sister-in-law, Leonor Longoria; and to his other relatives and many |
|
friends; and, be it further |
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
|
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Fred |
|
Longoria. |