SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 452
In Memory
of
Raymond L. Telles
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and pays
tribute to the life of former El Paso mayor Raymond L. Telles, who
died March 8, 2013, at the age of 97; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable pioneer was the first Mexican
American mayor of a major Southwestern city and was a former
ambassador to Costa Rica; he spent his life in public service and
in the political limelight; he was an advisor to President John
F. Kennedy, but he also remained committed to local politics; he
was particularly dedicated to elevating Hispanics to public
office; and
WHEREAS, Born September 5, 1915, Raymond Telles grew up in
a very different El Paso than the one he left behind; Mr. Telles
is credited with challenging certain beliefs held by the
political establishment in the 1940s and 1950s and disproving the
notion that Mexican Americans were not electable and were not
capable of effectively running a city; he was elected to four
terms as El Paso County clerk and two terms as mayor of El Paso,
holding the latter office from 1957 to 1961; he ran his campaigns
with dignity and served as a model for a whole generation; and
WHEREAS, In the 1960s, Mr. Telles was one of the
highest-ranking Mexican Americans in the federal government; he
was a trusted advisor to many national politicians and agencies;
and
WHEREAS, This highly regarded public servant has been called
a founding father of contemporary Latino politics in the United
States; his accomplishments while serving El Paso included securing
the world-renowned Kress art collection for the El Paso Art
Museum and pushing the city to hire more Hispanics for police and
fire department jobs; he was recognized in 2006 as Mayor Emeritus
of El Paso, and in 2008, he received a lifetime achievement award
from the Hispanos Triunfadores Awards program; and
WHEREAS, A loving husband and father, he shared more than
65 years with his late wife, Delfina, and he taught his children
to value service, honesty, loyalty, and community; and
WHEREAS, In his death, this honorable patriot and
decorated military veteran leaves behind an extraordinary legacy
as a dedicated public servant who gave Mexican Americans a voice
in politics and who truly served his city, state, and country;
his memory will long be cherished by those who shared in his life;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Raymond L. Telles; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Raymond Telles.
Rodriguez
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 13, 2013, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate