H.R. No. 1478
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Honorable Richard Cortez is retiring as mayor of
McAllen in 2013, drawing to a close an exemplary career in public
service; and
WHEREAS, First elected in 2005 and reelected in 2009, Mayor
Cortez has worked diligently to promote economic development in
McAllen; during his tenure, the city has undertaken several large
projects, such as the creation of a convention center, an
international bridge, and an arts and entertainment district, as
well as an expansion of the airport; these advances have all been
made without increasing the tax rate; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Cortez has also fostered mutually beneficial
diplomatic ties between the city and its neighboring governments
across the border, hosting former U.S. president George Bush,
former Mexican president Vicente Fox, and five Mexican state
governors in McAllen to discuss common issues; the former chair of
the Border Trade Alliance and vice chair of the Texas Border
Coalition, Mayor Cortez is now assisting the federal government in
its efforts to secure our border without impeding legal trade; he
received the Distinguished Gold Medal from the governor of the
Mexican state of Veracruz for his service in building cultural and
business relationships between the State of Veracruz and the City
of McAllen; and
WHEREAS, Before his mayoral terms, Mr. Cortez was vice chair
of the McAllen Public Utility Board, and he served on McAllen's
Audit and Investment Committee from 2000 to 2005; he has been
president of the local Rio Grande Valley chapter of the Texas
Society of Certified Public Accountants and the McAllen Housing
Finance Corporation; in addition, he served on the Community
Development Block Grant Board and was involved with the
International Museum of Art and Science, the University of
Texas-Pan American Business Council, the McAllen Economic
Development Corporation Board, and the McAllen Chamber of Commerce
Board; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cortez is a valued member of Our Lady of Sorrows
Catholic Church, serving as a youth minister and parish council
president; he is also an honorary member of the local Rotary Club
and has volunteered his time with the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen
Metro for many years; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his work, Mayor Cortez has
received numerous accolades, including the first Teddy Roosevelt
Leadership Award given by the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and the
2009-2010 Distinguished Public Service Award from the Texas Society
of Certified Public Accountants; and
WHEREAS, During his retirement, Mayor Cortez looks forward to
spending more time with his wife, Elva, and their 4 children and 11
grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Richard Cortez has proven himself a leader of great
vision and ability, and he may indeed reflect on his
accomplishments with pride as he looks forward to the next exciting
chapter of his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the Honorable Richard Cortez on the
occasion of his retirement as mayor of McAllen and commend him for
his outstanding contributions to the community; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mayor Cortez as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Guerra
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1478 was adopted by the House on April
24, 2013, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House