SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 917
 
 
  In Memory
  of
  Mario E. Ramirez
 
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
  commemorates the life of Dr. Mario E. Ramirez, who died May 22,
  2017, at the age of 91; and
 
         WHEREAS, An esteemed physician and much-treasured citizen,
  Dr. Mario Ramirez brought formal health care to Starr County and
  worked throughout his life to bring quality health care to
  medically underserved residents of the Rio Grande Valley; and
 
         WHEREAS, Mario Ramirez attended high school in Roma,
  Texas; he studied for two years at The University of Texas at
  Austin, and in 1944, he accepted early enrollment to the
  University of Tennessee School of Medicine; he returned to Roma
  as a young physician in 1950 and established the community's
  first family practice center; he suspended his medical practice
  from 1955 to 1957 to serve in the United States Air Force; and
 
         WHEREAS, Dr. Ramirez opened Roma's first hospital in 1958;
  named after his grandfather, the Manuel Ramirez Memorial Clinic
  and Hospital provided local care to patients who had previously
  traveled 55 miles or more for medical services; and
 
         WHEREAS, From 1969 until 1978, Dr. Ramirez served as Starr
  County Judge; during his tenure, he played an instrumental role
  in establishing the Starr County Memorial Hospital and creating a
  new hospital taxation district to support its operation; the
  modern facility opened on February 15, 1975, in Rio Grande City,
  the same day the Ramirez Hospital closed its doors in neighboring
  Roma; and
 
         WHEREAS, In 1989, Governor Bill Clements appointed
  Dr. Ramirez to a term on The University of Texas System Board of
  Regents, where he served until 1995; he also served as vice
  president of South Texas Programs at The University of Texas
  Health Science Center at San Antonio, where he established the
  Med-Ed Program; the educational program has encouraged over
  2,000 students in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and Laredo to
  pursue health science careers; and
 
         WHEREAS, Dr. Ramirez served in leadership positions for
  numerous civic organizations, and he held key positions in
  professional associations at the local, state, and national
  levels; he received numerous accolades over the years, and he was
  honored for his many contributions to society by four United
  States presidents; and
 
         WHEREAS, Mario Ramirez shared 62 years of marriage with the
  late Sarah A. Ramirez, and they were blessed with five children
  andnumerousgrandchildrenandgreat-grandchildren;hewasbeloved
  by many, and his exceptional accomplishments in the Rio Grande
  Valley will continue to benefit area residents for generations to
  come; now, therefore, be it
 
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
  Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
  family of Dr. Mario E. Ramirez; 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 Mario Ramirez.
 
  Zaffirini, Hinojosa, Lucio
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on May 27, 2017, by a
    rising vote.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate