SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 273
 
 
  In Memory
  of
  Richard Moya
 
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
  commemorates the life of Richard Moya, who died on
  February 16, 2017, at the age of 84; and
 
         WHEREAS, Richard Moya was a groundbreaking public servant
  whose commitment to progress and racial equality served as an
  inspiration to generations of Hispanics in the City of Austin and
  throughout Travis County; and
 
         WHEREAS, Richard Moya was born on August 14, 1932, to Pete and
  Bertha Moya; he grew up in East Austin and attended Metz Elementary
  School, Allan Junior High School, and Austin High School; he served
  in the United States Army during the Korean War; and
 
         WHEREAS, He and his beloved wife, Gertrude, enjoyed 65
  years of marriage together; they were blessed with a son, the
  late Danny Moya, and a daughter, Lori Moya, and with three
  grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, all of whom were a
  source of much pride and joy for him; and
 
         WHEREAS, Mr. Moya worked in the printing business as a
  union pressman, and in 1970, he became the first Hispanic to be
  elected to public office in Travis County; he served the citizens
  of Precinct 4 with distinction for 16 years as a member of the
  Travis County Commissioners Court; and
 
         WHEREAS, His election campaign drew on the support of a
  coalition of Mexican American organizations and of a group of
  striking furniture workers, whose struggle for fair pay and
  workers' rights had galvanized the East Austin community; and
 
         WHEREAS, Over the course of his service on the
  commissioners court, Mr. Moya worked tirelessly to reform the
  county's welfare and hiring policies; he advocated adding a child
  abuse unit to the district attorney's office and played an
  important role in improving emergency services, mental health
  services, and road maintenance for the county; and
 
         WHEREAS, He was a prominent figure in an alliance of
  Hispanic community leaders and elected officials that included
  Austin mayor Gus Garcia, state senator Gonzalo Barrientos, and
  Austin City Council member John Treviño; he went on to serve as a
  deputy chief of staff to Governor Ann Richards, and afterwards,
  he pursued a number of business ventures; and
 
         WHEREAS, Throughout his time in public service, he was
  known for his accessibility to voters, his willingness to
  compromise, his charismatic personality, and his great humor in
  the face of racial discrimination and animosity; and
 
         WHEREAS, A man of courage and strength who touched the
  lives of many, he gave unselfishly to others, and his wisdom, his
  generous spirit, and his enthusiasm for living each day to the
  fullest will not be forgotten; and
 
         WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather,
  and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured forever by his
  family and countless friends; now, therefore, be it
 
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
  Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
  family of Richard Moya; 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 Richard Moya.
 
  Watson
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on February 22, 2017,
    by a rising vote.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate