SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 11
In Memory
of
The Honorable Mario V. Gallegos, Jr.
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins Texans
across the state in grieving the untimely loss of Senator Mario
V. Gallegos, Jr., who died October 16, 2012, at the age of 62; and
WHEREAS, Born September 8, 1950, Mario Gallegos was a
lifelong Houstonian; he grew up in the Magnolia Park community in
the East End and graduated from Milby High School; he later
returned to school and earned a degree from the University of
Houston in 2001; and
WHEREAS, He joined the Houston Fire Department at the age
of 18 and served the people of Houston with distinction for 22
years as a firefighter, rising to the rank of senior captain;
during those years, he developed an abiding interest in politics
and played an important role in articulating and promoting the
needs of the state's firefighters and other emergency responders
through his union work at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, He began his legislative career as a member of the
Texas House of Representatives after a landslide election victory
in 1990; during his two terms in the House, he began the work that
would make him a longtime champion for the working class citizens
of Texas, concentrating on such issues as health care and public
education; and
WHEREAS, In 1994, he became the first Hispanic elected to the
Texas Senate from Harris County; over the course of his tenure of
nearly two decades in the Senate, he played a vital role in fighting
for teacher pay raises and increased funding for public schools,
putting into action his belief that "making a solid investment in
our children is one of the smartest things we can do, one which will
reap long-term benefits for our state"; and
WHEREAS, Senator Gallegos was a staunch advocate for
senior citizens and defended Medicaid funding for residents in
long-term care facilities; he was also responsive to the need for
economic opportunities in his district and led the way in the
creation of the municipal management districts that revitalized
communities in Houston and served as a model for other Texas
cities; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, Senator Gallegos again displayed the
courage and principled determination that were the hallmarks of
his legislative career; only weeks after undergoing a liver
transplant, and against the orders of his doctor, he returned to
the Senate so that he would be able to cast his vote against voter
identification legislation; his was the deciding vote in
preventing the passage of the bill; and
WHEREAS, Senator Gallegos received numerous awards over
the course of his illustrious career, including the
Distinguished Legislative Service Award from the Texas Municipal
League, the Good Guy Award from the Texas Women's Political
Caucus, and Legislator of the Year from the Mexican American Bar
Association; he was recognized by the Texas State Association of
Firefighters and the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of
Texas for his passage of public safety legislation; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his legacy of public service,
Senator Gallegos lay in state in the Senate chamber so that
citizens could pay their respects to the man who had dedicated
himself to making Texas a more generous, just, and honorable
state; and
WHEREAS, A man of wisdom, strength, and integrity, Senator
Gallegos gave voice to the aspirations and dreams of countless
Texans, and his hard work and diligence served as a constant
inspiration to his fellow legislators; and
WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather,
and although his presence will be deeply missed by all those who
were privileged to share in his life, his legacy of service and
dedication will continue to have a profound impact for generations
to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Senator Mario V. Gallegos, Jr.; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of profound sympathy from the Texas
Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
grateful and loving memory of Mario Gallegos.
Whitmire
Birdwell Hancock Rodriguez Birdwell Hancock Rodriguez
Birdwell Hancock Rodriguez
Campbell Hegar Schwertner Campbell Hegar Schwertner
Campbell Hegar Schwertner
Carona Hinojosa Seliger Carona Hinojosa Seliger
Carona Hinojosa Seliger
Davis Huffman Taylor Davis Huffman Taylor
Davis Huffman Taylor
Deuell Lucio Uresti Deuell Lucio Uresti
Deuell Lucio Uresti
Duncan Nelson Van de Putte Duncan Nelson Van de Putte
Duncan Nelson Van de Putte
Ellis Nichols Watson Ellis Nichols Watson
Ellis Nichols Watson
Eltife Patrick West Eltife Patrick West
Eltife Patrick West
Estes Paxton Williams Estes Paxton Williams
Estes Paxton Williams
Fraser Zaffirini Fraser Zaffirini
Fraser Zaffirini
Dewhurst, President of the Senate
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on January 15, 2013, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Dean of the Senate
Birdwell Hancock Rodriguez
Campbell Hegar Schwertner
Carona Hinojosa Seliger
Davis Huffman Taylor
Deuell Lucio Uresti
Duncan Nelson Van de Putte
Ellis Nichols Watson
Eltife Patrick West
Estes Paxton Williams
Fraser Zaffirini