H.R. No. 2398

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, A fruitful life came to an end with the passing of a successful bandleader, publisher, manager, city council member, and Knights of Columbus member, Eliseo Smith, Jr., on May 2, 2009, at the age of 91; and

WHEREAS, Eliseo Smith, Jr., born in Rio Grande City, began his successful career as assistant fire chief at Fort Ringgold and simultaneously organized an orchestra called the Hotsy Totsy Band that would eventually become Smith's Orchestra; the ensemble would go on to provide citizens in Starr County with years of entertainment and happiness; and

WHEREAS, Eliseo was a publisher of the Rio Grande Herald, manager and paymaster of Atkins Produce Co., co-owner and manager of Smith-Barrymen Lumber Co., manager of Red Barn Chemical Co., owner and operator of Smith's Printing and Smitty's Quick Car Wash, and member of the Rio Grande City Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, A proud, engaged, and accomplished member of the Knights of Columbus, where he served as a Grand Knight for the De Saules Council No. 2595, he was also an honorable member of the El Cid Caravan No. 106 Order of the Alhambra, a dedicated member of the Rotary International, a devoted parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church in Rio Grande City, and an active member of the Starr County Democratic Party; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Smith enriched many lives and worked to improve his community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Eliseo Smith, Jr., and extend sincere condolences to his loved ones; 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 Eliseo Smith, Jr.

Guillen

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 2398 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 30, 2011.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House