82S10540 CBE-D
By: Guillen H.R. No. 119
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Locally owned businesses are vital to the economic
well-being of Texas communities, and in 2011, the Liberty Cafe is
celebrating 30 years of service to the residents of Freer; and
WHEREAS, Established in 1981 by Idalia and Benjamin Salinas,
the eatery was inspired by one of the same name that Mrs. Salinas's
parents owned in Benavides and later in Freer; after that
restaurant closed, Mrs. Salinas dreamed of one day opening her own
Liberty Cafe; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Salinas worked for the Freer Independent School
District, but he wanted to help his wife achieve her dream; he hired
a contractor to build the shell of a building, and he and the
couple's children worked to finish out the interior; once the
restaurant opened, both Mr. and Mrs. Salinas devoted their lives to
it, working more than 17 hours a day and often sleeping there on
cots; the cafe soon became popular among border patrol agents who
worked in the area, and their request for a fresh, not frozen,
hamburger patty is what eventually gave way to the restaurant's
most popular item; and
WHEREAS, The youngest of their 11 children, Martha "Martie"
Salinas Delay took over the cafe in 1994, when her mother's health
began to fail; she has overseen an expansion of the building,
including extra dining space and a porch, and she is supported in
her efforts by her siblings Carlos, Eddie, and Chris; although Mr.
and Mrs. Salinas both passed away in the early 2000s, their memory
lives on in the very tangible reminder of their determination, hard
work, and accomplishment, and their photos placed at the register
are a daily inspiration to their children and grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, One of only a few family-owned restaurants in Freer,
the Liberty Cafe continues to thrive three decades after it opened,
and it is indeed a pleasure to honor the establishment on the
occasion of this milestone year; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commemorate the 30th
anniversary of the Liberty Cafe and extend to Martha Salinas Delay
and her siblings and staff sincere best wishes for continued
success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Liberty Cafe as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.