82S10442 BPG-D
By: Coleman H.C.R. No. 15
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, A full and productive life drew to a close with the
passing of esteemed civic leader Pete Almodova Gallego, Jr., of
Alpine on March 4, 2010, at the age of 85; and
WHEREAS, Born in Alpine on February 17, 1925, Mr. Gallego was
the son of Pete Russell Gallego and Victoria Almodova; he came of
age during World War II and served in the United States Army in the
Pacific theater, and he earned the Victory and American Theater
ribbons, a Good Conduct Medal, and a Bronze Star, among other
honors; during his freshman year at Sul Ross State University, he
met Elena Peña, and the couple married the following year; they
later became the parents of four treasured children, Imelda,
Rebecca, Pete, and Robert; and
WHEREAS, The first member of his family to graduate from
college, Mr. Gallego earned his bachelor's degree in business
administration; he joined the family restaurant business, then
known as the Green Cafe, and began serving his community in a
variety of leadership roles; helping Latinos gain access to banking
services, he shared his accounting skills with a credit union
established by a local Catholic priest; he became the first
treasurer of Our Lady of Peace Credit Union, which operated for many
years from the dining room table in his home and then from his cafe
so members could stop by in the evening after their work; he later
served as president, chair, and member of the board as the credit
union grew to become the Alpine Community Credit Union, an
institution with more than $10 million in assets; and
WHEREAS, This dynamic Texan became the first Latino trustee
of the Alpine Independent School District in 1959 and was elected to
four more consecutive three-year terms; he played a key role in the
desegregation of area schools and in the construction of a new high
school, the addition of a wing to Central Elementary School, the
remodeling of the old high school into a united junior high, and the
closure of Centennial School; although some customers boycotted his
restaurant to protest integration, Mr. Gallego remained steadfast;
the school closure and the construction of a new interstate also
affected the business, and he moved it across town, becoming the
first Latino to own commercial property on Holland Avenue; and
WHEREAS, Gallego's Mexican Food Restaurant won a loyal
following among college students in its new location, and
Mr. Gallego expanded its operations, shipping chiles rellenos,
tamales, and masa to stores around the state; through the years, he
helped many young people achieve their dreams by giving them jobs
and donating money for their college funds; in 2001, four years
after his retirement, he was named Paul Forcheimer Business Person
of the Year in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the
community; he continued to volunteer for worthy causes and enjoyed
spending time with his family, maintaining his properties, and
riding his mowing tractor; and
WHEREAS, A man of great generosity, integrity, and
determination, Pete A. Gallego is deeply missed by the host of
people whose lives he touched, but his legacy of achievement
continues to resonate in the community he loved and served so well;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas,
1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Pete
Almodova Gallego and extend sincere sympathy to his loved ones: to
his wife of more than six decades, Elena Peña Gallego; to his
daughters, Imelda Gallego Garcia and her husband, Jose Garcia,
R.Ph., and Rebecca P. Gallego, M.D.; to his son, the Honorable Pete
P. Gallego, and his wife, Maria Elena Ramon; to his grandchildren,
Maria Imelda, Maria Elena, and Briana Garcia, Cristina P. Gallego,
and Nicolas Miguel Ramon Gallego; and to his other relatives and
many friends; 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 and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
Pete A. Gallego, Jr.