SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 273
In Memory
of
Richard Moya
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of Richard Moya, who died on
February 16, 2017, at the age of 84; and
WHEREAS, Richard Moya was a groundbreaking public servant
whose commitment to progress and racial equality served as an
inspiration to generations of Hispanics in the City of Austin and
throughout Travis County; and
WHEREAS, Richard Moya was born on August 14, 1932, to Pete and
Bertha Moya; he grew up in East Austin and attended Metz Elementary
School, Allan Junior High School, and Austin High School; he served
in the United States Army during the Korean War; and
WHEREAS, He and his beloved wife, Gertrude, enjoyed 65
years of marriage together; they were blessed with a son, the
late Danny Moya, and a daughter, Lori Moya, and with three
grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, all of whom were a
source of much pride and joy for him; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Moya worked in the printing business as a
union pressman, and in 1970, he became the first Hispanic to be
elected to public office in Travis County; he served the citizens
of Precinct 4 with distinction for 16 years as a member of the
Travis County Commissioners Court; and
WHEREAS, His election campaign drew on the support of a
coalition of Mexican American organizations and of a group of
striking furniture workers, whose struggle for fair pay and
workers' rights had galvanized the East Austin community; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his service on the
commissioners court, Mr. Moya worked tirelessly to reform the
county's welfare and hiring policies; he advocated adding a child
abuse unit to the district attorney's office and played an
important role in improving emergency services, mental health
services, and road maintenance for the county; and
WHEREAS, He was a prominent figure in an alliance of
Hispanic community leaders and elected officials that included
Austin mayor Gus Garcia, state senator Gonzalo Barrientos, and
Austin City Council member John Treviño; he went on to serve as a
deputy chief of staff to Governor Ann Richards, and afterwards,
he pursued a number of business ventures; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his time in public service, he was
known for his accessibility to voters, his willingness to
compromise, his charismatic personality, and his great humor in
the face of racial discrimination and animosity; and
WHEREAS, A man of courage and strength who touched the
lives of many, he gave unselfishly to others, and his wisdom, his
generous spirit, and his enthusiasm for living each day to the
fullest will not be forgotten; and
WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather,
and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured forever by his
family and countless friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Richard Moya; 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 Richard Moya.
Watson
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 22, 2017,
by a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate