85R10072 JGH-D

By: Oliveira H.R. No. 387

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Fernando Landeros Verdugo has been selected as Mr. Amigo 2016 by the Mr. Amigo Association of Brownsville, and this is a fitting opportunity to celebrate this outstanding philanthropist's achievements and contributions; and

WHEREAS, Each year since 1964, the Mr. Amigo Association has designated as "Mr. Amigo" an eminent Mexican citizen who has contributed to the friendship between the United States and Mexico; and

WHEREAS, Born in Mexico City in 1963, Fernando Landeros earned his law degree at the Universidad Iberoamericana, studied political philosophy and comparative governments at Harvard University, and earned a master's degree in humanities and Mexican history; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Landeros is the founder and president of the Fundación Teletón, which for the past 20 years has hosted a popular nationwide telethon every December to raise money for the Centro de Rehabilitación Infantil Teletón, a system of 22 pediatric rehabilitation centers providing expert care to children with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, This remarkable effort has benefited more than 96,000 families in Mexico and has distributed funds to over 500 foundations and social work institutions, which in turn serve some 293,000 people; Fundación Teletón also supports University Teletón, which has trained nearly 1,000 therapists; in 2014, the foundation opened its first Children's Rehabilitation Institute in the United States, a 45,000-square-foot facility in San Antonio that serves up to 600 patients a year; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of his achievements, Mr. Landeros was presented in 2006 with an honorary doctorate from the Universidad Anáhuac México Sur, and in 2013 he received the Medal of Civic Merit "Eduardo Neri and Legislators of 1913" from the Mexican legislature; and

WHEREAS, Fernando Landeros has dedicated himself to assisting and empowering disabled children, both in Mexico and the United States, and his exemplary efforts have made a positive difference in thousands of lives while helping strengthen the bonds of friendship between two great nations; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Fernando Landeros Verdugo on being named Mr. Amigo 2016 and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success in his important work; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Landeros as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.