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| 3 | 4 | | |
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| 4 | 5 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 5 | 6 | | WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the |
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| 6 | 7 | | passing of Bertha Cuellar Gonzalez of San Antonio on January 16, |
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| 7 | 8 | | 2017, at the age of 99; and |
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| 8 | 9 | | WHEREAS, The daughter of Lino Edward Cuellar and Francisca |
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| 9 | 10 | | Flores Cuellar, the former Bertha Cuellar was born in Floresville |
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| 10 | 11 | | on November 21, 1917; she moved with her family to San Antonio as a |
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| 11 | 12 | | young girl and went on to graduate from Brackenridge High School; |
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| 12 | 13 | | and |
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| 13 | 14 | | WHEREAS, She married Henry B. Gonzalez in 1940, and the |
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| 14 | 15 | | couple became the proud parents of four sons, Henry, Charles, |
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| 15 | 16 | | Stephen, and Frank, and four daughters, Rose Mary, Bertha, |
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| 16 | 17 | | Genevieve, and Anna; when her children were young, Mrs. Gonzalez |
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| 17 | 18 | | was active in the PTA and served as a Cub Scout den mother; and |
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| 18 | 19 | | WHEREAS, While raising her family, Mrs. Gonzalez also shone |
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| 19 | 20 | | as "campaigner in chief" for her husband, who became the state's |
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| 20 | 21 | | first Mexican American congressman; she shared his deep commitment |
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| 21 | 22 | | to social justice and played a crucial role in his long career in |
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| 22 | 23 | | public service, providing wise counsel as well as tireless support; |
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| 23 | 24 | | he often referred to her as his "secret weapon"; and |
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| 24 | 25 | | WHEREAS, Mrs. Gonzalez was happiest with a house full of |
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| 25 | 26 | | people, especially youngsters, and she rejoiced in a large family |
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| 26 | 27 | | that grew to include 21 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren; |
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| 27 | 28 | | following the death of Congressman Gonzalez in November 2000, Mrs. |
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| 28 | 29 | | Gonzalez demonstrated tremendous grace and resilience, and she |
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| 29 | 30 | | continued to form many new friendships as a resident of a senior |
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| 30 | 31 | | community; and |
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| 31 | 32 | | WHEREAS, Although she never sought the spotlight, Bertha |
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| 32 | 33 | | Gonzalez made a lasting, positive difference in her community and |
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| 33 | 34 | | beyond, and those who were fortunate enough to share in the richness |
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| 34 | 35 | | of her life will forever cherish their memories of her warmth, her |
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| 35 | 36 | | selfless dedication to her family, and her wonderful sense of |
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| 36 | 37 | | humor; now, therefore, be it |
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| 37 | 38 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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| 38 | 39 | | Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Bertha Cuellar |
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| 39 | 40 | | Gonzalez and extend sincere condolences to all those who mourn her |
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| 40 | 41 | | passing; and, be it further |
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| 41 | 42 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 42 | 43 | | prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of |
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| 43 | 44 | | Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Bertha |
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| 44 | 45 | | Gonzalez. |
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