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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Juan Aranda, Jr., has distinguished himself as a |
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dedicated civic leader and labor advocate in El Paso and beyond; and |
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WHEREAS, Born on August 16, 1923, Juan Aranda lost his father |
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at a young age, and he began working at an ice plant in the evenings |
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while he attended school during the day to help support his mother |
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and siblings; Mr. Aranda later served overseas in the U.S. |
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military, and on his return, he gained employment with Southern |
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Pacific Railroad, at which time he launched his lifelong |
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involvement in the labor movement; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Aranda went on to join the American Smelting and |
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Refining Company (ASARCO), and in 1950, he became a member of the |
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International Union of Mine, Mill, and Smelter Workers; he was |
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active at the local, state, and national levels of the organization |
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and held various leadership roles, and he participated in the Mine & |
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Mill National Negotiating Committee, the steering committee, the |
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political action committee, and many others; after the organization |
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merged with the United Steelworkers of America, Mr. Aranda served |
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as president of USWA Local 509 for more than two decades and was |
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also a vice president of the Texas AFL-CIO, and he has the |
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distinction of having participated in many steelworker strikes with |
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Cesar Chavez; in addition, he was a staff representative for USWA |
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for 17 years, and in this capacity he worked on contracts and |
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conducted special assignments in Peru and Canada; and |
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WHEREAS, Through the years, this esteemed Texan has received |
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accolades from various groups, including the local Democratic |
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Party, the United Way, and the Labor Council for Latin American |
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Advancement, and he has been recognized by former presidents Jimmy |
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Carter and Bill Clinton; highly regarded in his community, Mr. |
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Aranda organized a Labor Day breakfast, which has continued for |
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nearly four decades, and he is known by many as "The General"; he |
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was also on the board of the United Way for six years, and he has |
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served as vice president of District 13 of LCLAA; and |
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WHEREAS, A champion for labor, Juan Aranda has demonstrated |
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an unwavering commitment to ensuring the rights of all people, and |
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he may indeed take justifiable pride in his notable achievements |
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and contributions; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend Juan Aranda, Jr., for his many years of |
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service to his community and as a leader in the labor movement and |
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extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success and |
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happiness; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Aranda as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |