84R12796 RMA-D
By: Guillen H.R. No. 1223
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Maria Elena and Arnoldo Alaniz are fondly remembered
by the residents of Benavides for the many professional and civic
contributions they made over the course of their lives; and
WHEREAS, Born in Benavides on March 27, 1936, to Lazaro and
Nicolasa Chapa, the former Maria Elena Chapa graduated from
Benavides High School in 1955 and went on to earn both a bachelor's
degree and a master's degree in education from Texas A&I
University; and
WHEREAS, Arnoldo Valerio Alaniz was born on December 30,
1931, and he also graduated from Benavides High School, where he was
an all-district football player; following his service with the
United States Army during the Korean War, he attended Texas A&I,
receiving a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in math; and
WHEREAS, The couple married in 1956 and shared 35 years
together; they were blessed with three children, Arnoldo, Jaime,
and Norma, and their family eventually grew to include five
grandchildren, Amanda, Arnoldo, Matthew, Isabella, and Fabian, as
well as a great-granddaughter, Katherine; and
WHEREAS, Prominent members of their community, Mr. and
Mrs. Alaniz enjoyed long and rewarding careers with the Benavides
Independent School District; Mrs. Alaniz taught for more than three
decades, and Mr. Alaniz worked as a teacher and a principal for 37
years; he also served as president of the Texas State Teachers
Association; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Alaniz further distinguished herself as a
member of the Benavides City Council for 19 years; devoted to her
faith, she belonged to the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and
she and her husband were both valued parishioners of Santa Rosa de
Lima Catholic Church; and
WHEREAS, Although Mrs. Alaniz passed away on December 27,
2014, and Mr. Alaniz died on February 3, 1991, their efforts in
behalf of their students and the city that they loved will continue
to resonate for years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the lives and achievements of
Maria Elena and Arnoldo Alaniz.