H.R. No. 113
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Manuel P. Guillen, a lifelong resident of Rio Grande
City who passed away on December 19, 2002, at the age of 85,
rendered notable service to the people of Starr County; and
WHEREAS, Born on November 27, 1917, Mr. Guillen was the first
in his family to graduate from Rio Grande City High School;
afterward, during the Great Depression, he joined the Civilian
Conservation Corps and worked on CCC projects across the country;
and
WHEREAS, Shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor,
Mr. Guillen and his brother, Mario, enlisted in the armed forces;
while Mario Guillen served in Europe, Mr. Guillen was deployed to
the Pacific, where he participated in retaking a number of
strategic islands; following the surrender of Japan in September
1945, he was stationed on one of the inner Japanese islands, and
during that time he came to develop a deep respect for the Japanese
people; and
WHEREAS, When Manuel and Mario Guillen resumed civilian life,
they embarked together on a cattle enterprise, founding the Guillen
Brothers Ranch in Starr County; initially, they leased land for
their operation, but as time went by, they were able to purchase one
parcel after another and establish their own holdings; and
WHEREAS, In addition to sharing in the operation of the
ranch, Mr. Guillen worked for a number of years at First State Bank
of Rio Grande City; after his retirement from that institution, he
joined the board of directors of Citizens State Bank in Roma;
altogether, he spent more than four decades in the banking
industry, stepping down from his post as a director only when
illness intervened; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Guillen also served on the board of directors of
the Medina Electric Cooperative, where his business acumen was a
valued asset; and
WHEREAS, In all that he undertook, Mr. Guillen endeavored to
do the responsible thing; devoted to his faith, he gave generously
of his time and talents to the Knights of Columbus; he served for
many years as the local council's financial officer, and he
especially enjoyed the projects that the organization carried out
in support of Immaculate Conception School in Rio Grande City; and
WHEREAS, Manuel Guillen's life was rich in purpose and
accomplishments, and he could take pride in his many contributions
to the continuing development of his community; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory
of Manuel P. Guillen; 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
P. Guillen.
Guillen
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 113 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on June 28, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House