Bill Text: TX HR1829 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: In memory of former state representative Lauro Cruz.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2017-05-12 - Reported enrolled [HR1829 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HR1829-Enrolled.html

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H.R. No. 1829

R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The death of former state representative Lauro Cruz
on January 29, 2017, at the age of 83, concluded a remarkable life
of service; and
WHEREAS, Born in Beaumont on May 20, 1933, Lauro Cruz was the
son of Manuel Cruz and Margarita Menchaca Cruz; he grew up in
Houston, where he took on adult responsibilities as a boy,
selecting and buying produce for the family grocery store; during
the Korean War, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, and on his
return, he applied for a job with the Houston Metropolitan Transit
Authority; he met with significant resistance, but persevered to
become the agency's first Mexican American bus driver; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cruz purchased a grocery store in the Sixth Ward
while working his way through school; he completed his bachelor's
degree in political science at the University of Houston and went on
to attend South Texas College of Law; recognizing the need for
greater Hispanic representation in the political process, he ran
successfully for precinct judge, and he participated in the 1966
Farmworkers March; that same year, he won a seat in the Texas House
as the first Mexican American legislator elected from Harris County
in over a century and a quarter; a tireless champion of minorities
and the struggle for social justice, he coauthored the first
minimum wage bill in Texas, strove to ensure the rights of farm and
migrant workers, and secured the passage of a migrant
transportation bill; he was also instrumental in the passage of a
measure regulating hazardous substances in the state; and
WHEREAS, With a young family to support, Mr. Cruz left the
legislature after three terms, and in 1972, he became a special
assistant to Governor Dolph Briscoe; he later served as executive
director of the Greater South Texas Cultural Basin Commission and
led the Texas Good Neighbor Commission; subsequently, he became one
of the state's first independent Hispanic lobbyists, and he helped
educate young Texans about politics and the Mexican American
experience as founder of the Innovation 88 Leadership Program at
the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of
Texas at Austin, where he taught during the late 1980s and early
1990s; in addition, he served as president of the U.S. State
Department—affiliated International Hospitality Council; his many
accolades included the National Benito Juarez—Lincoln Award for
his contributions to the progress of Mexican Americans; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cruz shared a fulfilling marriage of more than
61 years with his college sweetheart, Clarice Cruz; he was the
father of four treasured children, Chris, Camille, Jerry, and Sat
Nam, and he took great pride in his three grandchildren, Lucas
Tenbrook and Kasey and Cody Cruz; a man of faith, he was a longtime
member of the Lutheran church; and
WHEREAS, Deeply committed to building a more just and
equitable society, Lauro Cruz set an inspiring example of
leadership, and his achievements have helped to better the lives of
countless Texans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Lauro
Cruz and extend sincere sympathy to his family and friends; 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 the
Honorable Lauro Cruz.
Farrar
Alonzo
Straus Goldman Oliverson
Allen Gonzales of Williamson Ortega
Alonzo González of El Paso Paddie
Alvarado Gooden Parker
Anchia Guerra Paul
Anderson of Dallas Guillen Perez
Anderson of McLennan Gutierrez Phelan
Arévalo Hefner Phillips
Ashby Hernandez Pickett
Bailes Herrero Price
Bell Hinojosa Raney
Bernal Holland Raymond
Biedermann Howard Reynolds
Blanco Huberty Rinaldi
Bohac Hunter Roberts
Bonnen of Brazoria Isaac Rodriguez of Bexar
Bonnen of Galveston Israel Rodriguez of Travis
Burkett Johnson of Dallas Romero, Jr.
Burns Johnson of Harris Rose
Burrows Kacal Sanford
Button Keough Schaefer
Cain King of Hemphill Schofield
Canales King of Parker Schubert
Capriglione King of Uvalde Shaheen
Clardy Klick Sheffield
Coleman Koop Shine
Collier Krause Simmons
Cook Kuempel Smithee
Cortez Lambert Springer
Cosper Landgraf Stephenson
Craddick Lang Stickland
Cyrier Larson Stucky
Dale Laubenberg Swanson
Darby Leach Thierry
Davis of Dallas Longoria Thompson of Brazoria
Davis of Harris Lozano Thompson of Harris
Dean Lucio III Tinderholt
Deshotel Martinez Turner
Dukes Metcalf Uresti
Dutton Meyer VanDeaver
Elkins Miller Villalba
Faircloth Minjarez Vo
Fallon Moody Walle
Farrar Morrison White
Flynn Muñoz, Jr. Wilson
Frank Murphy Workman
Frullo Murr Wray
Geren Neave Wu
Gervin-Hawkins Nevárez Zedler
Giddings Oliveira Zerwas
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1829 was unanimously adopted by a rising
vote of the House on May 8, 2017.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House