81R6285 MG-D
By: Raymond H.R. No. 241
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Laredo lost a dedicated civic leader
and cherished friend with the passing of Francisco Javier
Montemayor, Sr., on July 4, 2008, at the age of 63; and
WHEREAS, A native of Laredo, Javier Montemayor attended local
public schools before earning a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M
University--Kingsville and a master's degree from Texas A&M
International University; answering his nation's call to duty, he
was commissioned a lieutenant in the United States Army in 1968, and
served a two-year tour during the Vietnam conflict; at the time of
his retirement from the armed forces, he held the rank of lieutenant
colonel; and
WHEREAS, In the 1970s, Mr. Montemayor worked for the Laredo
Independent School District as an ROTC drill instructor and as a
counselor at the veterans affairs office, assisting area veterans
in pursuit of higher-education opportunities; and
WHEREAS, After he graduated from the Thurgood Marshall School
of Law at Texas Southern University in 1982, Mr. Montemayor went to
work as an assistant district attorney for Webb and Zapata Counties
and later as an associate municipal court judge for the City of
Laredo; in 1986, he was appointed by the Webb County Commissioners
Court to establish the Webb County public defenders office, which
he launched in 1988; a tireless advocate for those who could not
afford legal counsel, Mr. Montemayor motivated his staff to follow
his example, and the county agency grew considerably under his
skilled leadership; highly respected in the legal community, Mr.
Montemayor directed the public defenders office until he retired in
2005 to enter private practice; through the years, he maintained
professional affiliations with the Laredo-Webb County Bar
Association, the State Bar of Texas, and the Texas Criminal Defense
Lawyers Association; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan was an avid hunter and horseman
who loved spending time on his ranch, and he took great pleasure in
entertaining his friends and family by singing and playing the
guitar; held in deep affection for his generous spirit and
readiness to extend a helping hand to others, he also contributed to
numerous organizations, including the American Legion, the League
of United Latin American Citizens, and the Washington's Birthday
Celebration Association; and
WHEREAS, Javier Montemayor believed in protecting the rights
of the underrepresented and less privileged members of his
community, and he leaves behind a legacy of public service that will
continue to inspire all those who were fortunate enough to know him;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Francisco Javier
Montemayor, Sr., and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his
family: to his wife of more than 40 years, Catalina Montemayor; to
his sons, Javier, Tony, and Marco Montemayor; to his grandchildren,
Jennifer, Valerie, Tony, Mia, Alexandra, and Marco; 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 Francisco
Javier Montemayor, Sr.