SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 538
         WHEREAS, Manuel M. Vela stepped down from his positions as
  president and chief executive officer of Valley Baptist Health
  System on April 30, 2023, concluding an exceptional tenure with
  the organization that spanned more than 19 years; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Vela first joined Valley Baptist Health
  System in 2003 and initially served as senior vice president
  and chief legal officer; in those roles, he was involved in a
  number of major corporate transactions by the health system,
  including its purchase of the Brownsville Medical Center and a
  joint venture with Vanguard Health Systems; in 2012, he became
  president and CEO and spent more than a decade guiding the
  organization and overseeing both Valley Baptist Medical
  Center-Harlingen and Valley Baptist Medical
  Center-Brownsville; and
         WHEREAS, Effective May 15, 2023, Mr. Vela is continuing
  his career as the vice president and chief operating officer of
  the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen, and
  his leadership and expertise is sure to serve the center well in
  the years ahead; and
         WHEREAS, A native of Harlingen, Mr. Vela earned his
  undergraduate and law degrees from The University of Texas at
  Austin, and he subsequently became a partner with his father,
  Moises V. Vela, in the Vela and Vela law firm; in all his
  endeavors, he enjoys the love and support of his wife, Amy; they
  are the proud parents of four children, Brianna, Manny, Thomas,
  and Esteban; and
         WHEREAS, Manny Vela has proven himself to be an effective
  champion of quality health care in South Texas, and he may take
  well-deserved pride in his outstanding record of achievement as
  he takes on the challenges and opportunities of his new role;
  now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
  Legislature, hereby congratulate Manuel M. Vela on his service as
  president and chief executive officer of Valley Baptist Health
  System and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and,
  be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
  prepared for Mr. Vela as an expression of high regard from the
  Texas Senate.
 
  LaMantia
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on May 10, 2023.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate