2023S0420-1 05/15/23
By: Hinojosa S.R. No. 602
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of Fortunato "Pete" Benavides, who died on
May 5, 2023, at the age of 76; and
WHEREAS, Born on February 3, 1947, in Mission, Pete
Benavides was raised in McAllen and traced his roots back to
Spanish statesmen who settled prominent cities in Nuevo León and
Tamaulipas; renowned for his athleticism and exceptional memory,
Pete graduated from McAllen Senior High School in 1965 and went
on to earn his business degree from the University of Houston and
his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center in 1972;
and
WHEREAS, Shortly after beginning his career as a litigator
in McAllen, Pete secured a judicial appointment and served as
Hidalgo County Court judge for two years; he returned to private
practice until his election as Hidalgo County 92nd District Court
judge in 1981, a position he held until 1984, when Texas Governor
Mark White appointed him as a justice on the Thirteenth Court of
Appeals, a position he held for seven years; and
WHEREAS, Determined to do more for his community, Judge
Benavides, through his membership on the Texas Juvenile
Probation Commission, established the Ramiro H. Guerra Youth
Village, a residential facility in Weslaco for male juvenile
offenders; his spirit of generosity captured the attention of
such leaders as Bill Clinton, who praised Judge Benavides for his
outstanding work with the center for troubled youth; and
WHEREAS, Judge Benavides was appointed by Governor Ann
Richards to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in 1991 and by
Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court Tom Phillips to serve
numerous state courts by special appointment; in between
appointments, Judge Benavides resumed private practice as a
partner at the McAllen law firm Atlas and Hall; and
WHEREAS, President Clinton appointed Judge Benavides to
serve as a justice on the United States Fifth Circuit Court of
Appeals in 1994; he served the court with distinction as an
active judge for 18 years and completed numerous terms as a
member of the Judicial Council of the Fifth Circuit; he assumed
senior status in the Fifth Circuit in 2012; and
WHEREAS, Highly esteemed by his colleagues and
contemporaries for his humility and compassion, Judge Benavides
authored more than 2,000 opinions in his 25 years on the Fifth
Circuit, and his honest counsel brought wisdom and enlightenment
to his fellow justices; and many friends who regard his life as a
gold standard to which future generations of Texans may aspire;
he was preceded in death by his infant son Ramon, and leaves
behind precious memories that will be forever treasured by his
beloved wife, Evelyn, his daughters, Amanda and Adelaide, and his
grandsons, Milo and Carter; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Pete Benavides; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Pete Benavides.