87S30300 BHH-D
By: Guerra H.C.R. No. 10
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The life of a distinguished public servant drew to a
close with the death of former state representative Roberto
Gutierrez of McAllen on December 28, 2019, at the age of 83; and
WHEREAS, Roberto Gutierrez was born on June 11, 1936;
answering his nation's call to duty, he served in the 49th Armored
Division of the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of sergeant, and he
went on to serve another 10 years in the Texas National Guard; in
civilian life, he earned a master's degree in education and enjoyed
a career as a secondary school teacher and counselor and as a
businessman; and
WHEREAS, First elected to the State Legislature from
District 41 in 1990, Representative Gutierrez served for 14 years,
and he devoted his tenure in office to expanding education in the
Rio Grande Valley, promoting public safety, and improving access to
health services; he was a member of the Appropriations, Public
Safety, and Financial Institutions Committees, among others, and
his many achievements included authoring the bill that created
South Texas Community College, helping to increase funding for The
University of Texas-Pan American, promoting an early diabetes
detection program for children, and playing a lead role in creating
the UT Regional Academic Health Center, which served as the
foundation for the UTRGV School of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, Representative Gutierrez shared a loving union with
his wife, Cecilia Carmen Gutierrez, that spanned 56 years until her
death in 2017, and he was the proud father of three children,
Roberto, Gilda, and Sara; with the passing years, he had the
pleasure of welcoming into his family seven grandchildren, Roberto
Daniel, A. Cecilia, Iris Isabelle, Joel Roberto, Sarita Cecilia,
Gabriela Marie, and Andrea Renee; and
WHEREAS, Living up to his motto "dale gas," which is Spanish
for "go forward," Roberto Gutierrez led a rich and purposeful life
dedicated to the service of others, 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 87th Legislature of the State of Texas,
3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory of the
Honorable Roberto Gutierrez and extend heartfelt sympathy to his
family 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 and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
Roberto Gutierrez.