By: Neave Criado H.R. No. 2503
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Mexican American Legislative Caucus is
celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023; and
WHEREAS, Founded in the Texas House of Representatives in
1973 by lawmakers of Mexican American heritage, the caucus is the
nation's oldest and largest Latino legislative caucus; its members
are dedicated to serving as a voice for a united Latino constituency
across the state; and
WHEREAS, The caucus has played a strong role in writing
legislation and shepherding it through passage; in the 1980s, it
pushed through the Bilingual Education Act, unemployment
compensation legislation that included farmworkers, and a minimum
wage bill for farmworkers; it also tamped down the "English-only"
movement; members later successfully fought to increase funding for
higher education in South Texas and the border region, and they
helped shape the redistricting process; in the 1990s, in light of
the growth of the Hispanic population, MALC opened membership
eligibility to House members of any race or ethnicity who represent
majority-Latino constituencies; and
WHEREAS, Paul Moreno of El Paso became the first chair of MALC
in 1975; the current chair, Representative Victoria Neave Criado,
is the first Latina to lead the caucus in three decades; the House
now has 17 Latinas, the largest number yet; and
WHEREAS, In addition to Chair Neave Criado, the current
caucus roster includes officers Vice Chair Christina Morales,
Treasurer Mary Ann Perez, Counsel Armando Walle, and Secretary
Armando Martinez, as well as Whip Ramon Romero Jr., Deputy Whips
Elizabeth Campos, Ana-Maria Ramos, Jessica González, Penny
Morales-Shaw, and members Sergio Muñoz Jr., Gina Hinojosa, Trey
Martinez Fischer, Bobby Guerra, Ryan Guillen, Richard Peña Raymond,
Erin Gámez, Lulu Flores, Joe Moody, Lina Ortega, Mary González,
Claudia Ordaz, Tracy O. King, John Lujan, Gene Wu, Diego Bernal,
Rafael Anchía, Philip Cortez, Eddie Morales, Oscar Longoria, Terry
Canales, J. M. Lozano, Ana Hernandez, Ray Lopez, Terry Meza, Abel
Herrero, Janie Lopez, and Josey Garcia; and
WHEREAS, Over the past half century, the Mexican American
Legislative Caucus has advanced issues important to the Latino
community while working to make the Lone Star State a better place
for all, and it is indeed appropriate to recognize its
contributions; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding
of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus and honor its members
for their service to the citizens of Texas; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the caucus as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.