H.R. No. 2657
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The 80th birthday of a longtime state representative
is truly a special occasion, and the Honorable Paul C. Moreno of El
Paso marked this significant milestone on April 28, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Born in El Paso on April 28, 1931, Mr. Moreno served
his country in Korea for six years as a member of the United States
Marine Corps; he earned the Presidential Unit Citation, the Silver
Star, and numerous Bronze Stars, among other decorations; after
completing his tours of duty, he graduated from The University of
Texas at El Paso and The University of Texas School of Law; his
devotion to justice led him to cofound both the El Paso Legal
Assistance Organization and the Mexican-American Bar Association;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Moreno was first elected to represent part of El
Paso County in 1967, and he went on to become the longest-serving
Hispanic elected official in the country; over the course of a
distinguished tenure spanning more than four decades, his
commitment to equal opportunity for all Texans earned him a
reputation as "the conscience of the house"; he played a crucial
role in the passage of such landmark legislation as the Bilingual
Education Act of 1983-84, and he was a powerful advocate for
farmworkers, fighting to ensure them of a minimum wage and
unemployment compensation; moreover, he worked to raise teacher
salaries and retirement benefits and to provide membership in the
Children's Health Insurance Program for all eligible youngsters;
through the years, he served on almost every major house committee,
and his tireless efforts in behalf of public education have greatly
benefited innumerable residents of El Paso; he has received myriad
local, state, and national awards, and in 1996, El Paso ISD named a
new elementary school in his honor; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his remarkable career in public service,
Paul Moreno set an inspiring example of dedication, integrity, and
compassion, and it is indeed a pleasure to recognize our esteemed
former colleague as he enters his ninth decade; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the Honorable Paul Moreno on his
80th birthday and extend to him warmest best wishes for continued
happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Representative Moreno as an expression of high regard
by the Texas House of Representatives.
Marquez
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2657 was adopted by the House on May
30, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House