88R16160 JRI-D
By: Guillen H.R. No. 483
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Starr County native Rose Benavidez has been
inaugurated as chair of the Association of Community College
Trustees Board of Directors, becoming the first Latina to hold that
position in the group's more than 50-year history; and
WHEREAS, ACCT is a nonprofit educational organization of
governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and
appointed trustees who lead over 1,200 community, technical, and
junior colleges in the U.S.; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Benavidez has served on the board of South Texas
College since 2009; first elected to the ACCT board in 2017, she
represents the group's western region and has previously served as
chair of its diversity committee; throughout her tenure, she has
furthered the organization's mission to increase federal funding
for higher education, align skills training with meaningful wage
employment, and promote student success around the world; in her
new role, she will work with officials from the White House,
Congress, and the U.S. Department of Education to advocate in
behalf of higher education and to champion the students of the Rio
Grande Valley; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of the late Manuel Benavidez, who also
served on the ACCT board, Ms. Benavidez is currently president of
the Starr County Industrial Foundation, a nonprofit founded and
supported by local government and business leaders committed to
developing the local economy; her many honors include being
inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame and receiving a
Woman of Distinction Award from the Texas Association of Mexican
American Chambers of Commerce; she was most recently recognized as
a Woman of Distinction by the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce; and
WHEREAS, Through her leadership, professionalism, and
commitment to excellence, Rose Benavidez has earned the lasting
respect and admiration of her colleagues and the Rio Grande Valley
community, and her experience and expertise are sure to serve her
well as she takes on this challenging new role; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Rose Benavidez on being named chair
of the Association of Community College Trustees Board of Directors
and that she be extended sincere best wishes for a productive
tenure; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Ms. Benavidez as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.