H.R. No. 228
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, A life dedicated to the law and the service of others
  drew to a close with the death of Richard Covarubio Abalos of Odessa
  on December 12, 2020, at the age of 77; and
         WHEREAS, Born in Rankin to Angela and Lasaro Abalos on July 4,
  1943, Richard Abalos grew up with 14 siblings, Paul, Basilio,
  Eustolia, Frank, Lasaro, Rosendo, George, Jesse, Johnny, Selso,
  Lupe, Linda, Martha, and Victoria; he learned the value of hard work
  at an early age, laboring with his family in the cotton and onion
  fields of West Texas, and in junior high school, he started his own
  business filling out tax forms; his skill as a Golden Gloves boxer
  led him to find a job in the office of attorney Warren Burnett, who
  helped him enroll in The University of Texas and St. Mary's
  University School of Law; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Abalos served in the U.S. Army during the
  Vietnam War with the Judge Advocate General's Corps at Fort Rucker,
  Alabama, where he bunked with future vice president Al Gore;
  returning to civilian life, he joined Mr. Burnett's law firm as one
  of the first Mexican American lawyers in Odessa, and he went on to
  enjoy a legal career that spanned nearly half a century, starting
  his own law firm and winning a reputation as a skilled and
  determined advocate for his clients; and
         WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Mr. Abalos participated in the
  Democratic Party on the state and local levels, and as a proud
  Mexican American, he was active with the League of United Latin
  American Citizens and Hispanic Heritage; moreover, he was a
  founding member of the Club Los Dorados riding club; he was the
  recipient of many accolades, including the Community Statesman
  Award from the Heritage of Odessa Foundation and the Odessa
  American; in his leisure time, he delighted in riding horses,
  sharing happy hour with his fellow attorneys, rooting for the
  Dallas Cowboys, collecting coins, bird-watching, and playing
  chess, tennis, and poker; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Abalos was a loving and supportive husband to
  Delma, his wife of 42 years, and he took great pride in his three
  children, Angel, Feliz, and Andrea, and his two grandchildren, Noah
  and Lyndon; he was also a loving brother and uncle, and a true and
  loyal friend, generously sharing his time and resources with anyone
  in need; and
         WHEREAS, A devoted family man, a respected attorney, and an
  engaged member of his community, Richard Abalos leaves behind a
  record of service that his loved ones can remember with pride; now,
  therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Richard Covarubio
  Abalos and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family and many
  friends; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
  Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Richard
  Abalos.
 
  Landgraf
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 228 was unanimously adopted by a
  rising vote of the House on March 18, 2021.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House