H.R. No. 1242
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The State of Texas lost a revered elder statesman
with the death of the Honorable Raymond L. Telles, Jr., on March 8,
2013, at the age of 97, and his passing has deeply saddened admirers
across the Lone Star State and beyond; and
WHEREAS, A trailblazer in government and international
diplomacy, Raymond Telles was the first Hispanic mayor of a major
American city and the first Hispanic United States ambassador; he
led El Paso from 1957 to 1961, and his effective management paved
the way for other Latinos in politics across the nation; and
WHEREAS, Ambassador Telles was born in El Paso to Ramon and
Angela Telles on September 5, 1915; after graduating from Texas
Western College, he began his career with the United States
Department of Justice; he answered his nation's call to duty in 1941
with service in the United States Air Force and eventually attained
the rank of colonel; along the way, he served as chief of the
lend-lease program for South and Central America and as a military
aide to Presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower, and
for his accomplishments, he received the Order of the Southern
Cross from Brazil, Columbian wings, the Mexican Legion of Merit,
and the Peruvian Flying Cross; and
WHEREAS, Following World War II, Colonel Telles returned to
his hometown, where he was elected to the first of four terms as El
Paso County Clerk; he was recalled to military service during the
Korean War and commanded the U.S. Air Force 67th Tactical and
Reconnaissance Group, for which he earned the Bronze Star Medal;
and
WHEREAS, This remarkable Texan overcame prejudice and
persevered to win a hard-fought 1957 mayoral campaign, and his
skill, expertise, and collaborative management style won him an
uncontested second term; in 1961, he left the office of mayor when
he was appointed ambassador to Costa Rica by President John F.
Kennedy; he was subsequently named chair of the U.S.-Mexico border
commission by President Lyndon B. Johnson, and he went on to serve
as head of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission during both
the Nixon and Ford administrations; throughout his tenure in the
federal government, he was a valued advisor and friend to both
Republican and Democratic presidents; and
WHEREAS, While at home in the halls of power, Ambassador
Telles was naturally modest, and he unfailingly credited those who
helped him accomplish his goals; he was, in turn, a wise and caring
mentor who personally helped to nurture succeeding generations of
Latino leaders; he was named Mayor Emeritus of El Paso in 2006, and
he was recognized for a lifetime of achievement by the Hispanos
Triunfadores Awards program in 2008, among myriad other accolades;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Telles shared a fulfilling marriage of 68 years
with the love of his life, Delfina Navarro, and he was devoted to
his daughters, Cynthia and Patricia, and his two grandsons, Raymond
and Daniel; and
WHEREAS, Through his commitment to progress and his selfless
dedication to public service, Raymond Telles made a lasting,
positive difference in the world around him, and his achievements
will continue to inspire his fellow Texans and all Americans for
many years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Raymond
L. Telles, Jr., and extend sincere condolences to the members of
his family: to his daughters, Dr. Cynthia Telles and Dr. Patricia
Telles-Irvin; to his grandsons, Raymond David Jimenez and Daniel
Irvin-Telles; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas House
of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of the
Honorable Raymond L. Telles, Jr.
Moody
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1242 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 17, 2013.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House