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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Distinguished activist Father Jose Alejandro |
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Solalinde Guerra has inspired countless people through his |
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humanitarian endeavors; and |
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WHEREAS, Since April 2013, Father Solalinde has been |
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traveling across the United States with a caravan of victims turned |
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advocates to raise awareness of the plight of Central American |
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migrants; the caravan is called "Opening Doors to Hope," and |
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members of the group recount their experiences as migrants, discuss |
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such issues as the historical roots of migration, and educate the |
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public about human rights violations and criminals who prey on |
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those in transit; and |
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WHEREAS, Father Solalinde was born in the State of Mexico in |
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1945 and joined the Knights of Columbus in his youth; after |
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finishing his secondary education under the auspices of the Society |
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of Jesus, he studied classical literature at the High School |
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Institute of the Carmelite Fathers of Guadalajara before attending |
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the Institute of Ecclesiastical Studies, where he studied |
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philosophy and theology; he was ultimately ordained by the bishop |
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of Toluca; Father Solalinde holds a bachelor's degree in history |
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from the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, as well as a |
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bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in systemic |
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family therapy; and |
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WHEREAS, After beginning his career in the Diocese of Toluca, |
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Father Solalinde requested a transfer to the poorest part of |
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Oaxaca, where he assisted the indigenous Mixtec people; |
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subsequently transferred to the Diocese of Tehuantepec, he led |
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several churches, offered family therapy, and established a shelter |
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for the orphaned, abandoned, and abused; while working in the |
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diocese, he learned about the kidnappings and other dangers faced |
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by migrants passing through on freight trains, and in 2007, he |
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founded a refuge, Hermanos del Camino, or "Brothers of the Road"; |
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the haven has served thousands, and despite death threats from |
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criminal organizations, he has continued to work tirelessly to ease |
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the suffering of the most vulnerable and to champion their cause; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, This admired leader was presented with the 2012 |
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National Human Rights Award by the chair of the National Human |
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Rights Commission and by the president of Mexico, Enrique Pena |
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Nieto; his numerous accolades also include the 2011 Emilio Krieger |
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Medal, the Peace and Democracy award from the National Association |
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of Democratic Lawyers, and the Pages Llergo Award for Democracy and |
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Human Rights; and |
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WHEREAS, Father Solalinde has made a positive difference in |
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the lives of innumerable people through his selfless devotion to |
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the disenfranchised, and his courageous efforts have focused |
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international attention on the human cost of immigration policies; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commend Father Jose |
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Alejandro Solalinde Guerra for his exceptional contributions in |
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behalf of human rights and extend to him sincere best wishes for |
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continued success in his important mission; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Father Solalinde as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |