H.R. No. 15
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Laredo lost an admired philanthropist
with the passing of Peggy Jean Newman on April 19, 2024, at the age
of 92; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of William and Beulah Beheler, the
former Peggy Beheler was born on August 6, 1931; she married the
love of her life, Bernard "B. P." Newman, and they were blessed with
four children, Joel, David, Mark, and Nancy; through the years, her
treasured family grew to include 11 grandchildren and 21
great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Newman invested in real estate through various
entities, and she served B. P. Newman Investment Company as a member
of the board and as president; in 1997, she became the first woman
to serve on the board of the International Bank of Commerce, and she
continued in that position for two decades; and
WHEREAS, Deeply committed to her community, Mrs. Newman
served on the boards of many nonprofit organizations, including the
United Way of Laredo; she donated land to the group and was actively
involved in the effort to build a home for its operations; she also
gave generously of her time and talents to such organizations as the
Salvation Army, Casa de Misericordia, Habitat for Humanity, the
Laredo Food Bank, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation; in 2020, she was
recognized by Catholic Charities for her years of selfless work to
advance its mission; moreover, she and her husband were champions
of higher education, playing important roles in the development of
Texas A&M International University, holding membership in the TAMIU
Heritage Society, and establishing two endowed scholarships at the
university; she was also a supporter of the Alzheimer's
Association, and she was instrumental in the success of the Laredo
Walk to End Alzheimer's; and
WHEREAS, A valued member of the First Baptist Church,
Mrs. Newman was guided in all her endeavors by her strong faith;
above all, she was devoted to her family and cherished the time she
spent with her loved ones; she was preceded in death by her husband
and two sons, Joel and David; and
WHEREAS, The life of Peggy Newman stands as an inspiring
example of civic engagement, and those she left behind will forever
cherish their memories of her warmth, grace, and kindness; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Peggy Jean Newman
and extend sincere condolences to the members of her family: to her
children, Mark Newman and his wife, Darla, and Nancy De Anda and her
husband, Javier; to her daughter-in-law, Ana Laura Newman; to her
11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; and to her other
relatives and many friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Peggy Jean
Newman.
Raymond
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 15 was unanimously adopted by a rising
vote of the House on March 6, 2025.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House