H.R. No. 2721
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Juan Aranda, Jr., has distinguished himself as a
dedicated civic leader and labor advocate in El Paso and beyond; and
WHEREAS, Born on August 16, 1923, Juan Aranda lost his father
at a young age, and he began working at an ice plant in the evenings
while he attended school during the day to help support his mother
and siblings; Mr. Aranda later served overseas in the U.S.
military, and on his return, he gained employment with Southern
Pacific Railroad, at which time he launched his lifelong
involvement in the labor movement; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Aranda went on to join the American Smelting and
Refining Company (ASARCO), and in 1950, he became a member of the
International Union of Mine, Mill, and Smelter Workers; he was
active at the local, state, and national levels of the organization
and held various leadership roles, and he participated in the Mine &
Mill National Negotiating Committee, the steering committee, the
political action committee, and many others; after the organization
merged with the United Steelworkers of America, Mr. Aranda served
as president of USWA Local 509 for more than two decades and was
also a vice president of the Texas AFL-CIO, and he has the
distinction of having participated in many steelworker strikes with
Cesar Chavez; in addition, he was a staff representative for USWA
for 17 years, and in this capacity he worked on contracts and
conducted special assignments in Peru and Canada; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, this esteemed Texan has received
accolades from various groups, including the local Democratic
Party, the United Way, and the Labor Council for Latin American
Advancement, and he has been recognized by former presidents Jimmy
Carter and Bill Clinton; highly regarded in his community, Mr.
Aranda organized a Labor Day breakfast, which has continued for
nearly four decades, and he is known by many as "The General"; he
was also on the board of the United Way for six years, and he has
served as vice president of District 13 of LCLAA; and
WHEREAS, A champion for labor, Juan Aranda has demonstrated
an unwavering commitment to ensuring the rights of all people, and
he may indeed take justifiable pride in his notable achievements
and contributions; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby commend Juan Aranda, Jr., for his many years of
service to his community and as a leader in the labor movement and
extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success and
happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Aranda as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Chavez
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2721 was adopted by the House on May
31, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House