Bill Text: TX SR548 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled

Texas Senate Resolution 548

Bill Title: In memory of Elena Peña Gallego.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-05-11 - Reported enrolled [SR548 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SR548-Enrolled.html


	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