81R31718 MG-D
By: Marquez H.R. No. 2168
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Salvador Balcorta of El Paso has distinguished
himself as a tireless civic leader committed to building a stronger
and healthier community for his fellow residents; and
WHEREAS, Raised in the Segundo Barrio of El Paso, Mr.
Balcorta was exposed to poverty and inequality at a young age, and
he was compelled to serve his community and to improve the quality
of life for the citizens of the border region; as a teenager, he
began working for the Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe, recruiting new
members into the organization; and
WHEREAS, La Fe began in 1967 as a makeshift clinic, and it was
a struggling nonprofit institution for many years, but with the
dedication of its staff and the generous support of a number of
local, state, and national entities, including civic leaders,
businesses, and religious groups, the organization grew
significantly; it later became one of the first community health
centers in Texas to receive accreditation, and by 1992, when Mr.
Balcorta became its CEO, La Fe had a clinic with 66 employees and a
$3 million budget; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his tenure, Mr. Balcorta has
overseen several major developments for the agency, and it now has
an estimated operating budget of $23 million, as well as a staff of
400 health professionals, artists, educators, social-justice
outreach workers, economic development specialists, and youth
mentors; moreover, La Fe has remained true to its mission of
assisting area residents, yet it has also realized its broader
vision of becoming a multiservice organization, and today it
includes 22 medical, housing, social services, and cultural sites
throughout El Paso County; in addition, La Fe has been praised for
its holistic approach, and it has been recognized as a successful
model for comprehensive community improvement; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Balcorta has also established La Fe as a major
player in the redevelopment plans for the city of El Paso, and he
envisions further expansion of the services provided by the
organization; among the future projects are a middle school, a
culinary arts training kitchen, a credit union, a legal center, and
a 91-unit apartment complex designed to serve low-income families
and working professionals; and
WHEREAS, With the utmost dedication to the people of El Paso,
Salvador Balcorta has helped ensure that the Centro de Salud
Familiar La Fe remains a vital resource for the community, and he
may indeed reflect with great pride on his notable achievements and
contributions; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby honor Salvador Balcorta for his outstanding
efforts in behalf of the residents of El Paso and extend to him
sincere best wishes for continued success with his important work;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Balcorta as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.