82R7950 BPG-D

By: Rodriguez H.R. No. 709

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Arturo Lopez Aleman was posthumously recognized by the Austin History Center in conjunction with its exhibit Mexican American Firsts: Trailblazers of Austin and Travis County; and

WHEREAS, Honoring the important contributions made by Mexican Americans to Central Texas, the Austin History Center and its association joined with the Austin Public Library to organize the show, which ran from August 21, 2010, through January 16, 2011; Mexican American Firsts: Trailblazers of Austin and Travis County celebrated the pioneering achievements of 32 remarkable men and women and provided the public with an opportunity to learn more about their lives; and

WHEREAS, One such individual, Arturo Aleman, was honored for his achievements in public service; Mr. Aleman immigrated to Travis County from Mexico in 1911, when he was just 14 years old; after laboring as a tenant farmer in Del Valle, he achieved his American Dream, becoming proprietor of the Aleman Grocery Store at 210 Medina Street in Austin; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Aleman was deeply committed to the betterment of East Austin and made numerous contributions to civic life; when the Mexican Methodist Church of Austin was reorganized in 1923, he became a steward, and he served in that capacity for more than half a century; he became a lay preacher in 1933, and as the congregation's historian, he wrote a book documenting the history of the Methodist Church in Austin's Mexican American community; and

WHEREAS, Through his outstanding accomplishments, Arturo Aleman made a positive difference in his community, and his legacy is a source of pride and inspiration to many people; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Arturo Lopez Aleman, a Mexican American Trailblazer of Austin and Travis County.