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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Residents of Donna lost a dedicated physician and a |
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beloved figure in local sports history with the passing of |
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Dr. Celestino Z. Avila on July 31, 2017, at the age of 75; and |
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WHEREAS, Celestino Avila was born on December 3, 1941, in |
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Donna, where his athletic gifts, intellect, and competitive drive |
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were apparent from an early age; he distinguished himself as a |
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defensive back and tight end on the Donna High School football team, |
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and during the 1959 season, he received All-District and All-South |
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Texas honors and was named All-Valley Most Valuable Player; and |
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WHEREAS, Following his graduation in 1960, Mr. Avila went on |
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to obtain a degree in biology and chemistry from Texas State |
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University; as a three-year letterman on the football team there, |
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he earned consecutive All-Conference and All-American accolades, |
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and his achievements as a player were later celebrated with his |
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selection to the Rio Grande Valley All-Millennium team in 1999, to |
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the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2000, and to the |
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National Hispanic Sports Hall of Fame in 2003; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Avila worked as a teacher and coach with the |
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Lyford, Los Fresnos, and Edinburg school districts before |
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continuing his education at the Universidad de Monterrey in Mexico, |
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where he earned his medical degree; he practiced medicine in his |
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hometown of Donna for many years, endearing himself to countless |
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patients with his kind and gentle bedside manner; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Dr. Avila enjoyed the love and |
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support of his wife, Aurora, with whom he joyfully raised five |
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children, Celestino, Veronica, Marco, Julio, and Erica; he took |
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care to instill in them the values of hard work, discipline, |
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humility, and faith, and he later had the pleasure of sharing his |
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wisdom with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. Celestino Avila was a devoted family man and a |
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source of great pride to his community, and he will long be |
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remembered with affection and admiration by all who knew him; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of |
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Dr. Celestino Z. Avila and extend heartfelt condolences to all |
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those who mourn his passing; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of |
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Dr. Celestino Avila. |
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Martinez |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 481 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the House on August 15, 2017. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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