H.R. No. 1708
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Manuel M. Vela stepped down from his positions as
president and chief executive officer of Valley Baptist Health
System on April 30, 2023, concluding an exceptional tenure with the
organization that spanned more than 19 years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Vela first joined Valley Baptist Health System
in 2003 and initially served as senior vice president and chief
legal officer; in those roles, he was involved in a number of major
corporate transactions by the health system, including its purchase
of the Brownsville Medical Center and a joint venture with Vanguard
Health Systems; in 2012, he became president and CEO and spent more
than a decade guiding the organization and overseeing both Valley
Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen and Valley Baptist Medical
Center-Brownsville; and
WHEREAS, Effective May 15, 2023, Mr. Vela is continuing his
career as the vice president and chief operating officer of the
Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen, and his
leadership and expertise is sure to serve the center well in the
years ahead; and
WHEREAS, A native of Harlingen, Mr. Vela earned his
undergraduate and law degrees from The University of Texas at
Austin, and he subsequently became a partner with his father,
Moises V. Vela, in the Vela and Vela law firm; in all his endeavors,
he enjoys the love and support of his wife, Amy; they are the proud
parents of four children, Brianna, Manny, Thomas, and Esteban; and
WHEREAS, Manny Vela has proven himself to be an effective
champion of quality health care in South Texas, and he may take
well-deserved pride in his outstanding record of achievement as he
takes on the challenges and opportunities of his new role; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Manuel M. Vela on his service as
president and chief executive officer of Valley Baptist Health
System and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Vela as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Gamez
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1708 was adopted by the House on May
25, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House