83R15061 BPG-D

By: Moody H.R. No. 1242

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The State of Texas lost a revered elder statesman with the death of the Honorable Raymond L. Telles, Jr., on March 8, 2013, at the age of 97, and his passing has deeply saddened admirers across the Lone Star State and beyond; and

WHEREAS, A trailblazer in government and international diplomacy, Raymond Telles was the first Hispanic mayor of a major American city and the first Hispanic United States ambassador; he led El Paso from 1957 to 1961, and his effective management paved the way for other Latinos in politics across the nation; and

WHEREAS, Ambassador Telles was born in El Paso to Ramon and Angela Telles on September 5, 1915; after graduating from Texas Western College, he began his career with the United States Department of Justice; he answered his nation's call to duty in 1941 with service in the United States Air Force and eventually attained the rank of colonel; along the way, he served as chief of the lend-lease program for South and Central America and as a military aide to Presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower, and for his accomplishments, he received the Order of the Southern Cross from Brazil, Columbian wings, the Mexican Legion of Merit, and the Peruvian Flying Cross; and

WHEREAS, Following World War II, Colonel Telles returned to his hometown, where he was elected to the first of four terms as El Paso County Clerk; he was recalled to military service during the Korean War and commanded the U.S. Air Force 67th Tactical and Reconnaissance Group, for which he earned the Bronze Star Medal; and

WHEREAS, This remarkable Texan overcame prejudice and persevered to win a hard-fought 1957 mayoral campaign, and his skill, expertise, and collaborative management style won him an uncontested second term; in 1961, he left the office of mayor when he was appointed ambassador to Costa Rica by President John F. Kennedy; he was subsequently named chair of the U.S.-Mexico border commission by President Lyndon B. Johnson, and he went on to serve as head of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission during both the Nixon and Ford administrations; throughout his tenure in the federal government, he was a valued advisor and friend to both Republican and Democratic presidents; and

WHEREAS, While at home in the halls of power, Ambassador Telles was naturally modest, and he unfailingly credited those who helped him accomplish his goals; he was, in turn, a wise and caring mentor who personally helped to nurture succeeding generations of Latino leaders; he was named Mayor Emeritus of El Paso in 2006, and he was recognized for a lifetime of achievement by the Hispanos Triunfadores Awards program in 2008, among myriad other accolades; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Telles shared a fulfilling marriage of 68 years with the love of his life, Delfina Navarro, and he was devoted to his daughters, Cynthia and Patricia, and his two grandsons, Raymond and Daniel; and

WHEREAS, Through his commitment to progress and his selfless dedication to public service, Raymond Telles made a lasting, positive difference in the world around him, and his achievements will continue to inspire his fellow Texans and all Americans for many years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Raymond L. Telles, Jr., and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his daughters, Dr. Cynthia Telles and Dr. Patricia Telles-Irvin; to his grandsons, Raymond David Jimenez and Daniel Irvin-Telles; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of the Honorable Raymond L. Telles, Jr.