H.R. No. 474
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of El Paso were deeply saddened by the
untimely death of Lillian E. Blancas, a widely respected attorney
and El Paso County magistrate judge, on December 7, 2020, at the age
of 47; and
WHEREAS, A native of El Paso, Lillian Blancas was born to
Victor and Maria Elena Blancas on May 2, 1973, and she was raised
with the companionship of two brothers, Moises and Victor, and a
sister, Gabby; her parents, who emigrated from Mexico, believed
strongly in the importance of education, and Ms. Blancas and all
three of her siblings went on to become first-generation college
graduates; after receiving a degree in political science from The
University of Texas at El Paso in 2002, she taught middle school
science in El Paso for several years and then pursued her legal
education at the Texas Tech University School of Law; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Blancas acquired valuable experience while
working as an assistant district attorney in El Paso; after
transitioning to being a public defender, she provided counsel to
underprivileged and often very young defendants, and on the side,
she mentored other lawyers who were interested in working with
indigent clients and clients with mental health issues; she was
known as a skilled and hardworking advocate for those she
represented, and she endeared herself to her colleagues with her
abundant compassion, charm, and wit; and
WHEREAS, In 2019, Ms. Blancas struck out on her own and went
into private practice; she had long dreamed of ascending to the
bench, and after working part-time as a criminal law magistrate
judge, she decided to run for a judicial seat on the El Paso
Municipal Court; securing 40 percent of the vote in the general
election held on November 3, she was then posthumously declared the
winner of the runoff election on December 12, 2020, five days after
her passing; and
WHEREAS, Lillian Blancas earned the admiration and affection
of countless people through her lifelong commitment to advancing
justice for all, and she will be greatly missed by all who were
privileged to know her; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Lillian E. Blancas and
extend heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and
colleagues; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Lillian E.
Blancas.
Fierro
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 474 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 9, 2021.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House