H.R. No. 142
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, The life of an esteemed jurist drew to a close with
  the passing of the Honorable Fortunato Pedro Benavides of Austin on
  May 5, 2023, at the age of 76; and
         WHEREAS, The son of Adán and Pilar Benavides, "Pete"
  Benavides was born in Mission on February 3, 1947, and he grew up in
  McAllen with the companionship of eight siblings, Tony, Adán,
  Gabriel, Liza, Mary Lou, John Lee, Joe, and Ray; after graduating
  from McAllen Senior High School in 1965, he went on to earn a
  bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of
  Houston as well as a law degree from the UH Law Center; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Benavides entered private practice as a
  litigator in McAllen, and in 1977, he began a two-year tenure as a
  judge on the Hidalgo County Court at Law; he then returned to
  private practice before winning election to the 92nd District Court
  in Hidalgo County in 1981; three years later, he was appointed to
  the Thirteenth Court of Appeals of Texas by Governor Mark White, and
  he joined the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals after receiving an
  appointment from Governor Ann Richards in 1991; in the subsequent
  years, he presided over numerous Texas state courts, and for a time,
  he was a partner at the Atlas & Hall law firm in McAllen; and
         WHEREAS, In 1994, Judge Benavides was appointed to the
  U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals by President Bill Clinton, and
  he further distinguished himself through his service on the
  judicial council of the Fifth Circuit; he assumed senior status in
  2012; moreover, he was active in the Judicial Conference of the
  United States, and he was a member of the committees on
  international judicial relations and the administration of the
  bankruptcy system; and
         WHEREAS, Judge Benavides also found time to serve as a member
  of the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission for several years, and
  he established the Ramiro H. Guerra Youth Village, a residential
  facility in Weslaco for juvenile offenders; among his many
  achievements, he was named one of 53 "Faces of Hope" by President
  Bill Clinton in 1993; and
         WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Judge Benavides enjoyed the
  love and support of his wife, Evelyn; he was the father of three
  children, Amanda, Adelaide, and the late Ramon Joseph Benavides,
  who died in infancy; with the passing years, his treasured family
  grew to include two grandsons, Noah and Milo; and
         WHEREAS, Although Pete Benavides is deeply missed by those he
  left behind, his legacy of service will be remembered and admired
  for years to come; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
  Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
  Judge Fortunato Pedro "Pete" Benavides and extend heartfelt
  sympathy to his loved ones; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
  Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Judge
  Benavides.
 
  Guerra
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 142 was unanimously adopted by a
  rising vote of the House on November 7, 2023.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House