By: Guillen H.R. No. 2398
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A fruitful life came to an end with the passing of a
successful band leader, publisher, manager, city council member,
and Knights of Columbus member, Eliseo Smith, Jr., on May 2, 2009,
at the age of 91; and
WHEREAS, Eliseo Smith, Jr., born in Rio Grande City, began
his successful career as Assistant Fire Chief at Fort Ringgold;
simultaneously organized an orchestra called the Hotsy Totsy Band
that would eventually become Smith's Orchestra; the ensemble would
go on to provide citizens in Starr County with years of
entertainment and happiness; and
WHEREAS, Eliseo was a publisher of the Rio Grande Herald,
manager and paymaster of Atkins Produce Co., co-owner and manager
of Smith-Barrymen Lumber Co., manager of Red Barn Chemical Co.,
owner and operator of Smith's Printing and Smitty's Quick Car Wash,
and member of the Rio Grande City Chamber of Commerce; and
WHEREAS, A proud, engaged, and accomplished member of the
Knights of Columbus, where he served as a Grand Knight for the De
Saules Council No. 2595, he was also an honorable member of the El
Cid Caravan No. 106 Order of the Alhambra; a dedicated member of the
Rotary International, a devoted parishioner of Immaculate
Conception Church in Rio Grande City, and an active member of the
Starr County Democratic Party; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Smith enriched many lives and worked to improve
his community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Eliseo Smith, Jr.,
and extend sincere condolences to the members of 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 Eliseo
Smith, Jr.