82R8260 MGR-D
By: Rodriguez H.R. No. 721
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Eustasio A. Cepeda was posthumously recognized by
the Austin History Center in conjunction with its exhibit Mexican
American Firsts: Trailblazers of Austin and Travis County; and
WHEREAS, Honoring the important contributions made by
Mexican Americans to Central Texas, the Austin History Center and
its association joined with the Austin Public Library to organize
the show, which ran from August 21, 2010, through January 16, 2011;
Mexican American Firsts: Trailblazers of Austin and Travis County
celebrated the pioneering achievements of 32 remarkable men and
women and provided the public with an opportunity to learn more
about their lives; and
WHEREAS, One such individual, Eustasio Cepeda, was honored
for his achievements in public service; after immigrating to Austin
to escape the Mexican Revolution, he and others began advocating
for the establishment of a Mexican consulate office in the Capitol
City, and succeeded in their goal three years later; and
WHEREAS, Deemed by some the unofficial first Mexican consul
in Austin because of his efforts, Mr. Cepeda was an active member of
numerous civic and patriotic organizations, and many of the state's
elected leaders, including Governors Miriam "Ma" Ferguson, James
Allred, Wilbert Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel, Coke Stevenson, Beauford
Jester, and Allan Shivers, looked to him for advice and
information; he passed away in 1972, and in 1998 the City of Austin
dedicated the Eustasio Cepeda Branch Library in his memory; and
WHEREAS, Through his outstanding accomplishments, Eustasio
Cepeda made a positive difference in his community, and his legacy
is a source of pride and inspiration to many people; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Eustasio A. Cepeda, a
Mexican American Trailblazer of Austin and Travis County.