89R18571 EME-D
By: Martinez Fischer H.R. No. 811
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The life of a beloved educator drew to a close with
the passing of Yolanda P. Torres of San Antonio on February 24,
2025, at the age of 88; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of Rolando and Bertha Parga, the former
Yolanda Parga was born in San Antonio on June 13, 1936; her parents
were talented musicians, and she grew up with three siblings, Irma,
Roland, and Sylvia, in a household that shaped her love for the
arts; she studied the accordion with a classical teacher, and she
also played the piano, ukulele, and French horn, the latter as a
member of the Thomas Jefferson High School marching band; the first
in her family to graduate from college, she earned an English degree
at the University of the Incarnate Word and a master's degree in
psychology at St. Mary's University; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Torres began her teaching career with the
Edgewood Independent School District in 1957; during her years in
education, she taught English with a focus on classical literature,
and she served as a journalism instructor and school newspaper
sponsor at Fox Tech High School in San Antonio, as the yearbook
sponsor at Jefferson Davis High School in Houston, and as the
literary club sponsor at Thomas Edison High School in San Antonio;
in 1976, Ms. Torres became the first Mexican American woman to be
elected to the Texas State Board of Education; she was teaching at
Edison when she retired in 2000; among her numerous accolades, she
received a Making a Mark on the World Award from the San Antonio
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and she was inducted into the San
Antonio Women's Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Torres took great pride in her four children,
Denise, Peter, Tina, and Paul, and her grandchildren; she always
saw the best in others, and she was a talented poet, oil painter,
singer, and pianist who served as choir director for La Trinidad
United Methodist Church for many years; and
WHEREAS, Admired for her myriad accomplishments and her
remarkable ability to connect with students, Yolanda Torres
brightened the world for all who knew her, and they will forever
hold her close in their hearts; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Yolanda P. Torres
and extend deepest condolences to the members of her family: to her
children, Denise, Peter, Tina, and Paul and his wife, Alisa; to her
grandchildren, Tahnee, Peter Michael, and Savannah and her husband,
Curtis; to her sister, Sylvia; to her sisters-in-law, Dolores and
Sandy; and to her many other relatives and 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 Yolanda
Torres.