SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 73
In Memory
of
Raymundo J. Peña
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of The Most Reverend Raymundo J. Peña
bishop emeritus of Brownsville, who died September 24, 2021, at
the age of 87; and
WHEREAS, Raymundo Peña was born to Cosme and Elisa Peña on
February 19, 1934, in Corpus Christi; he discerned a call to
serve in the priesthood while growing up in Robstown, and he
attended Saint John and Assumption Seminaries in San Antonio; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Peña was ordained into the priesthood on
May 25, 1957, at the Cathedral of Corpus Christi; his parish
posts included serving as the diocesan youth director and as
editor of the Texas Gulf Coast Catholic, the newspaper for the
Corpus Christi Diocese; and
WHEREAS, He was ordained a bishop in 1976 and was called to
serve as auxiliary bishop of San Antonio, an assignment that
included a six-month tenure as the administrator of the
archdiocese; he went on to lead the Diocese of El Paso for 15
years and was appointed bishop of Brownsville in 1995; he retired
from the priesthood in 2009 as the longest-serving active
Hispanic bishop in the nation; and
WHEREAS, An esteemed leader in the Catholic church, Bishop
Peña chaired multiple committees that addressed concerns of
Hispanics in the United States and Latin America; he was a
tireless and longstanding advocate for immigrants, especially
for those coming into the United States from Mexico; and
WHEREAS, In his service to the community, Bishop Peña fully
lived his episcopal motto, 'Haz todo con amor,' or "Let all that
you do be done in love"; he inspired countless citizens through
his exemplary compassion and dedication to his work on behalf of
others, and he will long be remembered with respect and
admiration by the many who were blessed to share in his life; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life
of The Most Reverend Raymundo J. Peña and extend heartfelt
sympathy to his family and many friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
Catholic Archives of Texas and that when the Senate adjourns this
day, it do so in memory of the Reverend Raymundo J. Peña.
Lucio
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on October 14, 2021, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate