SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 548
In Memory
of
Elena Peña Gallego
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 State of Texas, 88th
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.
Blanco
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 11, 2023, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate