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. Guillen ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 483 was adopted by the House on March 7, 2023, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House