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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The city of San Antonio lost an admired champion of |
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public education with the passing of Demetrio Pena Rodriguez on |
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April 22, 2013, at the age of 87; and |
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WHEREAS, A longtime resident of the city's west side, |
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Mr. Rodriguez worked tirelessly to improve the Edgewood |
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Independent School District and to promote greater access to |
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high-quality education for students of all income levels and ethnic |
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backgrounds throughout Texas; he was a founding member of the |
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Edgewood District Concerned Parents Association, which protested |
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inadequate facilities, staffing, and resources; in 1968, he joined |
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with seven other parents to file a class action lawsuit in federal |
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district court, and he became the namesake for Rodriguez v. San |
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Antonio ISD, a landmark case in the history of education financing |
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reform; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Rodriguez remained engaged in school reform |
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issues long after his five children had graduated, and his |
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endeavors helped pave the way for positive change in Texas and |
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beyond; dedicated to social justice, he also worked in behalf of |
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such organizations as the American G.I. Forum, the League of United |
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Latin American Citizens, and the Mexican-American Betterment |
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Organization; he was a veteran of the military and was employed at |
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Kelly Air Force Base as a sheet metal worker; and |
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WHEREAS, A humble and unassuming man, Demetrio Rodriguez |
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earned the high regard of his fellow citizens through his vision, |
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courage, and determination, and his selfless commitment to public |
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education will forever remain a source of inspiration to all who |
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were fortunate enough to know him; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Demetrio Pena |
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Rodriguez and extend sincere condolences to the members of his |
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family: to his wife of more than 50 years, Belen Rodriguez; to his |
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children, David, Alex, Carlos, and Patricia; to his 12 |
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grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; to his sister, Esperanza |
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Velasquez; to his brother, Concepcion Rodriguez; and to his many |
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other relatives and friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Demetrio |
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Rodriguez. |