81R22481 CBE-D
By: Hinojosa S.C.R. No. 62
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Honorable Lena Guerrero of Austin passed away on
April 24, 2008, at the age of 50, bringing to a close a full and
accomplished life; and
WHEREAS, Born in 1957 to Adela and Alvaro Guerrero, Lena
Guerrero grew up in Mission, the fifth of nine children; she went on
to attend The University of Texas at Austin, where she became active
in the Democratic Party and where, in 1979, she became the first
woman and the first Hispanic elected president of the Texas Young
Democrats; and
WHEREAS, Some five years later, at the age of 25, Ms. Guerrero
won election to the Texas House of Representatives, becoming only
the second Hispanic woman to ever hold office as a state legislator;
voters subsequently returned her to office three more times, and
during nearly a decade of service, she made her mark as a champion
for migrant farmworkers, teenage pregnancy prevention, and a
variety of environmental and social justice issues; named one of
the 10 best legislators of 1989 by Texas Monthly magazine, she
further distinguished herself as vice chair of the House Committee
on State Affairs and the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Guerrero was equally accomplished in her
professional life, serving as executive director of the Texas
Women's Political Caucus and as co-owner of an Austin advertising
and consulting firm, Bravo Communications; and
WHEREAS, In 1991, she was appointed to the Railroad
Commission by Governor Ann Richards, breaking yet another barrier
as a Hispanic woman; she was a leading supporter of tax incentives
for independent oil and gas producers and an early advocate for
alternative fuels, and she played a key role in revamping
regulation of the industry; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Guerrero was among the brightest and hardest
working public officials in Texas; she graduated from UT-Austin in
1993, demonstrating that our mistakes are often the gateway to
growth and success in other arenas; and
WHEREAS, This beloved woman fought brain cancer with grace,
dignity, and her trademark humor, along with the help of her
husband, Leo Aguirre, their son, "Little" Leo Aguirre, other family
members, and countless friends; although her life ended far too
soon, she will long be remembered with great affection and
admiration by all those who were privileged to know her; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby honor the life and legacy of Lena Guerrero as a dedicated and
inspiring public servant, a loving wife, a caring mother, a trusted
friend, and a true pioneering daughter of the State of Texas.