H.R. No. 1783

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The city of El Paso lost a respected public servant and business leader with the passing of Pablo Salcido on April 18, 2009, at the age of 52; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Mr. Salcido was known for his energy and enthusiasm in a wide range of endeavors; the president of the student body during his time at El Paso High School, he was also a near-constant presence on the field at football games, serving as the quarterback of the team and then taking up his trumpet at halftime to perform with the marching band; after receiving his diploma in 1974, he went on to earn a bachelor's degree at Austin College and later graduated with a master's degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin; and

WHEREAS, Possessing a deep interest in international issues, he joined the Peace Corps and worked to assist special needs children and hurricane victims in Honduras; after returning to the United States, he took a job in San Antonio city government under Mayor Henry Cisneros and helped coordinate the city's successful efforts to spur economic growth; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Salcido returned to El Paso in the late 1980s to become the city's first economic development director, and his pioneering efforts attracted numerous companies to the area; he later held a number of business positions in the El Paso area, working as general manager for KINT-TV and as a member of the management team for EDM, which gave him experience in project and plant management; and

WHEREAS, Building on his Peace Corps experience, this motivated leader became the director of the International City/County Management Association and undertook projects in Central and South America to help countries develop stable, democratic government institutions at the state and local level; and

WHEREAS, In 2006, Mr. Salcido once again took up public service in his hometown when he was hired as the president and chief executive officer for the City of El Paso Housing Authority; he then became the president and CEO of Paso Del Norte Group, an assignment in which he was responsible for uniting business, political, and community leaders in the region to accomplish community service projects; his final position was as president and CEO of Tigua Incorporated, where he began work in June 2008; and

WHEREAS, The loss of this esteemed Texan is keenly felt by the numerous friends that he made through the years as well as by the many people whose lives were made better by his efforts; an individual of great integrity who committed himself to helping others in myriad ways, Pablo Salcido set an inspiring example of civic engagement, and his work will be remembered and admired for years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Pablo Salcido and extend deepest condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, Cheryl; to his children, Jordan, Briana, and Alyssa; to his brothers, Ruben, Juan, Benny, and Raul Salcido; to his sisters, Carmen Pierce, Noemi Garber, Rebecca Reyna, and Anna Salom; to his many nieces and nephews; and to his other relatives and 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 Pablo Salcido.

Marquez Pickett Quintanilla Moody

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 1783 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 11, 2009.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House