81R6407 E
By: Marquez H.C.R. No. 47
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Honorable Paul Cruz Moreno, who joined the Texas
House of Representatives in 1967, retired as the
second-longest-serving member of that body in January 2009; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan was born on April 28, 1931, and
was raised in El Paso; following his high school graduation, he
enlisted in the Marines and, during his six years in uniform, he
served with valor in the Korean War, earning numerous awards and
decorations; he subsequently received a bachelor's degree in
business administration from Texas Western College and a law degree
from The University of Texas; and
WHEREAS, Representative Moreno began his legislative career
in 1967; long regarded as the "conscience" of the Texas House, he
pushed for ethics reforms in the 1970s as a member of the "Dirty
30"; he has also been a tenacious champion of the disadvantaged,
fighting for single-member districts, seeking to expand access to
quality education, and calling for the respectful recognition, both
in rhetoric and in policy, of every individual's human dignity; and
WHEREAS, Believed to be the longest-serving Mexican American
lawmaker in the country, Representative Moreno in 1973 joined in
founding the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, which addresses
issues of particular concern to Latinos in Texas; moreover, he has
endeavored to encourage grassroots participation in the political
process, helping to establish the group Tejano Democrats and giving
substantial support to the creation of the University Democrats at
UTEP; and
WHEREAS, For 40 years, Paul Moreno has devoted his
considerable talents and abilities to representing the interests of
his constituents and to advancing the cause of social justice in the
Lone Star State, and he has earned the deep affection and admiration
of his colleagues for his unfailing adherence to the highest ideals
of public service; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby pay tribute to the Honorable Paul Cruz Moreno for his four
decades of exemplary legislative service and extend to him sincere
best wishes for a rewarding retirement in the years ahead; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Paul Moreno as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives and Senate.