H.R. No. 58
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, The city of McAllen lost a beloved civic leader with
  the untimely death of Oscar Raul Cardenas on May 13, 2011, at the
  age of 50; and
         WHEREAS, Born in McAllen on July 3, 1960, Mr. Cardenas was the
  son of Dardanella and Ruben Cardenas; he was diagnosed with
  muscular dystrophy as a youngster and used a wheelchair from
  childhood, but he never let the condition define him; throughout
  his life, his courage, determination, and boundless enthusiasm left
  an indelible impression on all who encountered him; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Cardenas completed his bachelor's degree in
  accounting at Texas A&M University and returned to McAllen, where
  he worked for the Long, Chilton firm before embarking on an
  entrepreneurial path; he eventually employed more than 100 people
  at his two companies, Medical Accounts Receivable Services and the
  Copy It Printing Center, and he was a caring mentor to the members
  of his staff, as well as to numerous members of his community; for
  everyone he met, he had a bright smile and encouraging word, and his
  character, intellect, and sense of humor endeared him to a host of
  friends; and
         WHEREAS, This admired businessman served in myriad
  leadership roles, including as president of the McAllen Easter
  Seals, Jaycees, and Better Business Bureau, as well as of the
  Muscular Dystrophy Association of the Rio Grande Valley and of the
  Valley Association of Independent Living; in addition, he served as
  chair of the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley and director of the
  Museum of South Texas History, and he was a member of the finance
  committee for the McAllen Airport Advisory Board; he was also the
  treasurer of Our Lady of Sorrows Church; in 2008, he was named
  Easter Seals Humanitarian of the Year, and he was named 2004 Man of
  the Year by the McAllen Chamber of Commerce; moreover, he received
  the MDA State of Texas Individual Achievement Award and the Texas
  State Independent Living Council Outstanding Individual
  Achievement Award, among many other accolades; and
         WHEREAS, Oscar Cardenas brought joy to innumerable people and
  surmounted enormous challenges in order to make a lasting, positive
  difference in the world around him; although he will be deeply
  missed, his compassion, generosity, and devotion to his loved ones
  and his community will forever remain a source of inspiration; now,
  therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
  Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
  Oscar Raul Cardenas and extend sincere sympathy to the members of
  his family: to his devoted wife of 19 years, Dora Cardenas; to his
  parents, Dardanella and Ruben Cardenas; to his brother, Dr. Carlos
  J. Cardenas, and his wife, Chris; to his sister, Diana Albrecht, and
  her husband, Cecil; to his nieces and nephews, Adam, Simon, and
  Daniel Cardenas and Hilary, Miles, and Emily Albrecht; to his aunt,
  Sylvia Cardenas; to his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Josefina
  and Jose Castillo; to his sister-in-law, Julia Perez, and her
  husband, Edgar, and their daughters, Christina, Jessica, and
  Amanda; to his brother-in-law, Jaime Castillo, and his son, Johann;
  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 Oscar Raul
  Cardenas.
 
  Gonzales of Hidalgo
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 58 was unanimously adopted by a rising
  vote of the House on June 28, 2011.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House