H.R. No. 1252
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Edinburg lost an admired civic leader
and a cherished friend with the passing of Alfredo R. Longoria on
March 22, 2009, at the age of 80; and
WHEREAS, Born in Edinburg in 1928, Fred Longoria went on to
serve in the National Guard, and he became a successful businessman
in his hometown; he was the owner of Fred's Food Store, Clean Rite
Janitorial Supplies, and Sweet Scent; and
WHEREAS, In 1992, Mr. Longoria joined the Edinburg City
Council with the pledge to find solutions to alleviate downtown
flooding, which occurred when heavy rains inundated the area; he
remained true to his word, and his efforts resulted in the
installation of a more effective drainage infrastructure;
throughout his decade-long tenure in municipal government, he held
the positions of city commissioner, mayor pro tempore, and member
of the Edinburg Planning and Zoning Department; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Longoria was an integral part of the councils
that significantly changed the image and economic vitality of
Edinburg; along with his colleagues, he contributed to the creation
of the Edinburg Cable Network, the World Birding Center, and The
University of Texas Regional Academic Health Center Medical
Research Division in Edinburg, as well as to the renovation of the
South Texas International Airport at Edinburg and the construction
of the Edinburg Professional Baseball Stadium; a champion for
municipal improvements, Mr. Longoria worked with the city council
to secure state funding for local and state roadway system upgrades
and to bring jobs and construction projects to the region, thereby
greatly enhancing the role of Edinburg in the economy of South
Texas; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan further distinguished himself
as a member of the board of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce and as
president of the board of Amigos del Valle; he was also a congregant
at St. Joseph Catholic Church; and
WHEREAS, With his kindness and generosity, Fred Longoria
demonstrated an enduring commitment to his fellow citizens, and his
notable legacy of public service will not soon be forgotten by all
those whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Alfredo R. Longoria
and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his
wife, Sylvia Longoria; to his children, Clarissa Longoria Pea and
her husband, Aron Leonel, Priscilla Olivarez and her husband, Rick,
Michelle Guerrero and her husband, Manuel, Derek Ruiz and his wife,
Sandy, Gina Longoria, Lolly Pea and her husband, Jesus, and Fred
Longoria, Jr., and his wife, Allison; to his 14 grandchildren; to
his siblings, Miguel Longoria and his wife, Angie, Charlie Longoria
and his wife, Kay, and Olga Deroaul and her husband, Henri; to his
sister-in-law, Leonor Longoria; and to his other relatives 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 Fred
Longoria.
Pea
Martinez
Gonzales
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1252 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 23, 2009.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House