82R30947 BPG-D
By: Guillen H.R. No. 2390
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Citizens of Starr County continue to benefit from
the enormous contributions of esteemed civic leader Manuel
Benavidez, Jr., who passed away on March 28, 2009, at the age of 57;
and
WHEREAS, A former migrant worker, Mr. Benavidez earned his
bachelor's degree in bilingual education from The University of
Texas-Pan American in 1986 and went on to dedicate himself to
improving access to higher education for all; he was appointed as a
founding member of the South Texas College Board of Trustees in 1993
to represent Starr County in the development of a new community
college district, and he was subsequently elected to his seat for
two six-year terms; a powerful advocate, he galvanized the campaign
for establishment of a taxing district and the issuance of $20
million in bonds for initial construction of five STC
campuses/centers, and during his term as chair, he played a crucial
role in the passage of a $98.7 million bond package and a tax
increase to fund operating costs of the college; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Benavidez successfully championed many
innovative programs to benefit STC and residents of South Texas;
his leadership at the local and state levels was key to the passage
of legislation allowing eligible high school students to dually
enroll in college-level technical courses, to the development of
the Dual Enrollment Academy for Medical Sciences at STC, to the
selection of STC for a pilot bachelor's degree program in applied
technology, and to securing appropriations for UT-Pan American to
create an upper-level university center in Starr County; moreover,
his vision was instrumental in the founding of a technology center
at the county STC campus, which was dedicated as the Manuel
Benavidez, Jr., Rural Technology Center in 2010; previously, the
Starr County Commissioners Court declared November 2002 as Manuel
Benavidez, Jr., Month to recognize his remarkable accomplishments;
and
WHEREAS, At the national level, Mr. Benavidez shared his
expertise as a member of the Association of Community College
Trustees Diversity Committee, serving two terms as chair; the ACCT
gave him its Lifetime Membership Award in 2005, and that same year,
he and STC won the organization's Western Region Equity Award; in
addition, Mr. Benavidez enhanced quality of life in Starr County
through his tireless service on the Lower Rio Grande Valley
Workforce Development Board and in myriad other capacities; and
WHEREAS, Although it is impossible to gauge the full effect
of a life so devoted to the community, the exceptional
accomplishments of Manuel Benavidez continue to resonate as the
years go by; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life and achievements of
Manuel Benavidez, Jr., and extend sincere condolences to his loved
ones; 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 Manuel
Benavidez, Jr.