H.R. No. 715 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Our esteemed colleague, the Honorable Irma Rangel, 1-2 will celebrate her birthday on May 15, 1993, and it gives the 1-3 members of this chamber great pleasure to recognize her on this 1-4 joyous occasion; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A native of Kingsville, she is the daughter of 1-6 Presciliano Rangel, who became one of the most successful business 1-7 and political leaders in his community, and Herminia Rangel, who 1-8 was the owner of a popular women's dress shop in Kingsville; and 1-9 WHEREAS, One of three daughters who would one day work in the 1-10 field of public service, Ms. Rangel was graduated from Texas A&I 1-11 University in Kingsville and began her career as an educator, 1-12 teaching in the towns of Robstown and Alice and later in Venezuela; 1-13 she also earned well-deserved acclaim in the education community 1-14 early in her career as the author of the book, How to Teach Spanish 1-15 in the Elementary Grades; and 1-16 WHEREAS, In 1965, she pursued a lifelong dream and enrolled 1-17 as a student at St. Mary's School of Law in San Antonio, during 1-18 which time she first became aware of how important it was for 1-19 Chicanos to become more involved and visible in the public sector; 1-20 and 1-21 WHEREAS, While working for the firm of Garcia and Rangel in 1-22 Kingsville, she entered her first political race and was elected 1-23 Kleberg County Democratic Party chairman in 1974; and 1-24 WHEREAS, Ms. Rangel's victory was soon followed by a race for 2-1 a seat in the Texas House of Representatives and, with her 2-2 swearing-in ceremony in January 1977, she became the first 2-3 Mexican-American woman elected to serve in the house; and 2-4 WHEREAS, For 16 years, this highly regarded legislator has 2-5 adhered to the highest standards of excellence as a member of this 2-6 chamber, remaining compassionate toward the needs of the people who 2-7 have sent her to Austin time and again to represent their 2-8 interests; and 2-9 WHEREAS, During her remarkable tenure, Ms. Rangel has lent 2-10 her considerable expertise to committees examining such important 2-11 issues as higher education in Texas, mental health and mental 2-12 retardation, urban affairs, and business and industry; and 2-13 WHEREAS, Drawing on her diverse background as an attorney and 2-14 former educator, Ms. Rangel currently serves as vice-chair of the 2-15 Higher Education Committee and the International and Cultural 2-16 Relations Committee and has shared her leadership abilities in the 2-17 past as vice-chair of the Judicial Affairs Committee and the Urban 2-18 Affairs Committee; and 2-19 WHEREAS, Ms. Rangel also is an active force in the Democratic 2-20 Party, having served as a delegate to the Democratic National 2-21 Convention on two occasions and been appointed to serve on the 2-22 Texas Democratic Party Presidential Selection Commission in 1985; 2-23 and 2-24 WHEREAS, A former member of the Texas Advisory Committee of 2-25 the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, she was elected the 2-26 organization's vice-chair in 1982 and recently was elected to serve 2-27 as a member of the Women's Advocacy Project in Austin and the Task 3-1 Force on Environmental Justice of the Texas Air Control Board; and 3-2 WHEREAS, Elected chair of the Mexican-American Legislative 3-3 Caucus during this session, Ms. Rangel continues to serve as a role 3-4 model and an inspiration to women everywhere, and her many 3-5 contributions to the citizens of Texas as a member of this chamber 3-6 indeed merit special commendation; now, therefore, be it 3-7 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 3-8 Legislature hereby congratulate the Honorable Irma Rangel on the 3-9 occasion of her birthday and extend to her sincere best wishes for 3-10 continued happiness and success in the years to come; and, be it 3-11 further 3-12 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-13 prepared for Representative Rangel as an expression of high regard 3-14 by the Texas House of Representatives. 3-15 Raymond 3-16 by the Texas House of Representatives. 3-17 Rodriguez 3-18 Raymond