H.R. No. 1067
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The city of Laredo lost one of its most beloved
residents with the death of Fernando A. Salinas on February 10,
2011, at the age of 86; and
WHEREAS, "Chito" Salinas was born in Laredo on March 4, 1924,
to Antonio Salinas and Maria de Lachica de Salinas; after
graduating from Martin High School in 1942, he attended Texas A&M
University and Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Salinas returned to Laredo to work at his
family's retail business and pursue his interest in the fashion
industry; a successful businessman, he eventually opened Don
Antonio's Men's Wear, which he ran until his retirement; through his
keen business sense and frugality, he was able to earn a
considerable personal fortune, much of which he used to improve his
community; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed philanthropist contributed
immeasurably to the betterment of Laredo and to the relief of the
less fortunate; a longtime supporter of worthy causes, he
established in 2005 the Fernando A. Salinas Charitable Trust, which
has donated more than $5 million to such nonprofit organizations as
the Boys and Girls Clubs of Laredo, the South Texas Food Bank, and
the Children's Advocacy Center of Laredo and Webb County; Mr.
Salinas also believed fervently in the importance of education and
funded scholarships that made it possible for many young people to
attend college; his trust has continued to support educational
programs, notably with a gift of $1 million to the School of
Business at Texas A&M International University; and
WHEREAS, Fernando Salinas was honored as a Tejano Achiever by
the League of United Latin American Citizens Council No. 12, and he
was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Laredo Gateway Rotary Club; in
2008, his alma mater, Martin High School, designated him as a Tiger
Legend; and
WHEREAS, A popular fixture in his community, Mr. Salinas was
known for his delightful conversation, good humor, and wit; he
cared deeply about Laredo and its people, and he loved to regale his
many friends with stories about the city in years gone by; devoted
to his faith, he was a parishioner at St. Peter the Apostle Church
and at San Agustin Cathedral; and
WHEREAS, Fernando Salinas possessed a generosity of spirit
that expressed itself in myriad ways, and countless lives were
enriched by his warmth and kindness; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Fernando A. Salinas
and extend sincere condolences to his loved ones: to his nieces and
nephews, Ofelia de Lachica, Marcela Salinas Muris, Graciela
Salinas, Arturo Benavides, and C. Y. Benavides; to his longtime
friends Javier B. Santos, E. H. Corrigan, Olga Hachar La Vaude,
Evelyn Summers, Carroll Summers, Lamar Gallagher, Elia Ilda
Gonzalez de Espinoza, Sammy Johnson, Meme Falcon, Lola Mata, and
Mona Moore; and to all others who mourn his passing.
Raymond
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1067 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 7, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House