H.R. No. 686
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The people of South Texas have lost an esteemed
civic leader with the death of former La Joya mayor William Leo on
March 17, 2018, at the age of 70; and
WHEREAS, Billy Leo was born in Laredo on May 24, 1947, to
Feliz Leo and Leo James Leo, a prominent regional leader who marched
with Cesar Chavez and who served as mayor of La Joya; after earning
a political science degree at Texas A&I University in Kingsville,
Billy Leo enjoyed a successful career in the private sector with a
chain of convenience stores known as Leo's Food Mart; while
managing the family business, he also forged his own outstanding
record of civic engagement and activism; elected to the La Joya
school board while still in his 20s, he served from 1974 to 1981 and
was board president for two terms; he then served as mayor of La
Joya from 1981 to 1986 and as Hidalgo County clerk from 1986 to
1994; elected mayor again in 2003, he continued to serve in that
post until 2011; and
WHEREAS, Known as "Mr. Democrat," Mr. Leo held local party
meetings at his La Joya store and drew state and national leaders to
the area, including Robert Kennedy Jr., Bill Clinton, and his close
friend Ann Richards; he was a member of the Democratic National
Committee from 1989 to 2000 and served as a delegate to several
Democratic National Conventions; in addition, he was active in the
Mexican-American Democrats, and he led MAD in the 27th Senatorial
District as president; deeply engaged in his community, he was a
founder and president of the La Joya Lions Club, a member of the
Housing Authority of the County of Hidalgo, and a gubernatorial
appointee to the Texas-Mexico Authority and the State Community
Development Block Grant program; and
WHEREAS, A beloved role model and mentor to the next
generation of leaders in the Rio Grande Valley, Billy Leo dedicated
his life to fighting for his community and his political ideals, and
he leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire all those
who knew and loved him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of William Leo and
extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
wife, Dr. Filomena Leo; to his children, Noralisa Leo and her
husband, Eduardo Herranz, Michael Leo, Lita Leo, Billy Leo Jr. and
his wife, Anne, and Letty Leo; to his five grandchildren; to his
siblings, James Leo and his wife, Lydia, Henry Leo, Leo J. Leo Jr.
and his wife, Martha, and Nellie Leo; and to his other relatives and
many friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of William
Leo.
Longoria
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 686 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 21, 2019.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House