SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 33

In Memory

of

Donato P. Rodriguez, Jr.

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and commemorates the life of Donato P. Rodriguez, Jr., who died December 28, 2010, at the age of 77; and

WHEREAS, Donato P. Rodriguez, Jr., was born February 13, 1933, in Del Rio; he attended The University of Texas, the University of Houston, and Sul Ross State University before earning a master's degree from Antioch College; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rodriguez enjoyed a long and productive career in the field of education; he began his professional life as a classroom teacher before accepting a position as director of the Community Action Program of Val Verde County, an antipoverty initiative of President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society; he then spent some years with Southwest Educational Development Laboratory in Austin, evaluating and addressing the educational needs of low-income children throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS, He later was recruited by the Texas Education Agency to help ensure that Texas' public schools were compliant with the federal court order requiring desegregation and with the laws regarding racial and sexual discrimination; when he retired in 1993, he was state director of the Texas Education Agency's Equal Education Opportunity Division; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rodriguez took great pleasure in traveling the world with his wife, Teresita; he was known for his storytelling abilities and his great skill as a cook; and

WHEREAS, A man of courage, honor, and integrity, he gave generously to others, and his commitment to ensuring the civil rights of the less fortunate in our society left an enduring mark on our state; and

WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured forever by his family and many friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Donato P. Rodriguez, Jr.: his wife of 57 years, Teresita; his son, Donato Rodriguez III, and his wife, Dana; his daughter, Linda E. Donovan, and her husband, Jim; his sister, Alma E. Garcia; and his four grandchildren; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Donato P. Rodriguez, Jr.

Watson

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 19, 2011, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate