SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 452
 
 
  In Memory
  of
  Raymond L. Telles
 
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and pays
  tribute to the life of former El Paso mayor Raymond L. Telles, who
  died March 8, 2013, at the age of 97; and
 
         WHEREAS, This remarkable pioneer was the first Mexican
  American mayor of a major Southwestern city and was a former
  ambassador to Costa Rica; he spent his life in public service and
  in the political limelight; he was an advisor to President John
  F. Kennedy, but he also remained committed to local politics; he
  was particularly dedicated to elevating Hispanics to public
  office; and
 
         WHEREAS, Born September 5, 1915, Raymond Telles grew up in
  a very different El Paso than the one he left behind; Mr. Telles
  is credited with challenging certain beliefs held by the
  political establishment in the 1940s and 1950s and disproving the
  notion that Mexican Americans were not electable and were not
  capable of effectively running a city; he was elected to four
  terms as El Paso County clerk and two terms as mayor of El Paso,
  holding the latter office from 1957 to 1961; he ran his campaigns
  with dignity and served as a model for a whole generation; and
 
         WHEREAS, In the 1960s, Mr. Telles was one of the
  highest-ranking Mexican Americans in the federal government; he
  was a trusted advisor to many national politicians and agencies;
  and
 
         WHEREAS, This highly regarded public servant has been called
  a founding father of contemporary Latino politics in the United
  States; his accomplishments while serving El Paso included securing 
  the world-renowned Kress art collection for the El Paso Art
  Museum and pushing the city to hire more Hispanics for police and
  fire department jobs; he was recognized in 2006 as Mayor Emeritus
  of El Paso, and in 2008, he received a lifetime achievement award
  from the Hispanos Triunfadores Awards program; and
 
         WHEREAS, A loving husband and father, he shared more than
  65 years with his late wife, Delfina, and he taught his children
  to value service, honesty, loyalty, and community; and
 
         WHEREAS, In his death, this honorable patriot and
  decorated military veteran leaves behind an extraordinary legacy
  as a dedicated public servant who gave Mexican Americans a voice
  in politics and who truly served his city, state, and country;
  his memory will long be cherished by those who shared in his life;
  now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
  Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
  family of Raymond L. Telles; 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 Raymond Telles.
 
  Rodriguez
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on March 13, 2013, by a
    rising vote.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate