88R20313 BHH-D
By: Blanco S.R. No. 548
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Elena Peña Gallego, an esteemed member of the Alpine
community and a friend to many, passed away on March 8, 2023, at the
age of 94; and
WHEREAS, The former Elena Peña was born to Martín Peña and
Cecilia Paredes Peña on August 18, 1928, in Fort Stockton, and she
grew up with the companionship of three siblings, Mary, Irene, and
Pete; at the age of 16, she moved to Alpine to attend Sul Ross State
Teachers College, and two years later, she was joined in matrimony
to Pete A. Gallego, with whom she shared a fulfilling union that
spanned more than six decades until his passing in 2010; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Gallego left college to take a position as a
teacher at a rural school near Chinati Peak, and upon her marriage,
she worked in the Gallego family's restaurant, then known as the
Green Café; she later became the first Mexican American bookkeeper
at First National Bank in Alpine before joining the Texas
Department of Health and Human Services, where she took great
satisfaction in helping people to meet their basic needs; and
WHEREAS, Active in her community, Mrs. Gallego helped to
establish and operate Our Lady of Peace Credit Union, now Alpine
Community Credit Union, in order to meet the financial needs of
Mexican Americans who faced discrimination by area banks; moreover,
she was very involved in local politics and served as campaign
strategist for her husband, who served five terms as a trustee of
the Alpine Independent School District, and the family's restaurant
became a frequent stopping place for Democratic candidates in the
West Texas area; in 2019, she received an Honorary Bachelor of Arts
Degree from Sul Ross State University and the Texas State
University System Board of Regents, the first time such a degree had
been awarded; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Gallego took great pride in her four children,
Imelda, Rebecca, Pete, and Robert, and she instilled in them the
value of education; with the passing years, she had the pleasure of
seeing her family grow to include five grandchildren, Imelda,
María, Briana, Cristina, and Nicolás, as well as a
great-granddaughter, Sonia; and
WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to her family and her community,
Elena Peña Gallego made a meaningful difference in the lives of her
loved ones and fellow citizens alike, and those who were privileged
to share in her love and affection will forever hold her close in
their hearts; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature
hereby pay tribute to the life of Elena Peña Gallego and extend
sincere condolences to all who mourn her passing; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this
day, it do so in memory of Elena Peña Gallego.