H.R. No. 2591
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Rio Grande City fondly remember Pete
Diaz, Jr., a cherished friend and a dedicated civic leader, who died
on March 17, 1999, at the age of 71; and
WHEREAS, The son of Pedro Diaz, Sr., and Aurora Valverde
Diaz, Pete Diaz was born on November 17, 1927, in Rio Grande City;
he went on to become an entrepreneur and the proprietor of the
Valley Mart grocery store chain, as well as a management company, a
Spanish language radio station, a motor inn, a golf course, and 14
shopping centers, and his company, Diaz Enterprises, was one of the
largest Hispanic-owned businesses in the country; moreover, he
believed in helping others to succeed, and he frequently provided
assistance to his fellow citizens to help them achieve their
educational and employment goals; and
WHEREAS, Active in politics and government, Mr. Diaz was
appointed to the National Advisory Council for Vocational Education
by President Ronald Reagan, and he served on the Texas Board of
Criminal Justice and the Texas Private Industry Council; in
addition, he was a vice president of the Rio Grande Valley
Partnership, a director of the Texas Retail Grocers Association,
and an advisor to the College of Business Administration at The
University of Texas--Pan American, and he was on the board of
directors of St. Mary's University; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed community leader further
distinguished himself as one of the founders of the Rio Grande City
Volunteer Fire Department and as an organizer of the Rio Grande City
Christmas Festival, and he was a charter member of the Rio Grande
City Rotary Club; he was also a valued member of the Masonic Hope
Lodge No. 471 and of the Scottish Rite 32nd degree, and he had
served as Worshipful Master; and
WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Mr. Diaz enjoyed the love
and support of his wife, Ramona, and he took great pride in his six
children, Mary E. Recio, Belinda Diaz, Pete Diaz III, Hiram Diaz,
Aaron Diaz, and Monica D. Aguillon; and
WHEREAS, Pete Diaz was an inspiration to all those who were
fortunate enough to share in his love and friendship, and his
remarkable legacy continues to resonate in Rio Grande City and
beyond; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Pete Diaz, Jr.; 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 Pete Diaz.
Pea
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2591 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 31, 2009.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House