Bill Text: TX HR846 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Enrolled

---

Bill Title: In memory of Miriam Smith Vale of Rio Grande City.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Passed) 2011-04-08 - Reported enrolled [HR846 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-HR846-Enrolled.html

---

H.R. No. 846

R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A full and productive life drew to a close with the
passing of admired Starr County educator and civic leader Miriam
Smith Vale on February 11, 2011, at the age of 104; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of Mattie Louise Edwards and Samuel
Richard Smith, the former Miriam Smith was born in Lindale in Smith
County on May 23, 1906; she graduated from Lindale High School and
went on to earn her bachelor's degree from Texas Woman's University;
after moving to Rio Grande City for a teaching position, she met
Arnold J. Vale, and they married on February 19, 1930, in Havana,
Texas; over the course of the couple's six decades together,
Mrs. Vale supported her husband in all his professional endeavors,
including his 16 years of service in the Texas House of
Representatives; and
WHEREAS, The Vales became the parents of three sons, Arnold,
John, and Samuel, and Mrs. Vale continued her distinguished career
as a teacher and dietitian, working in La Grulla, La Joya, Rio
Grande City, and Roma until her retirement in 1971; she often joked
that she was a feminist before the word was invented, and, as one of
the few college-educated women of her generation, she mentored
other women seeking to balance professional lives and motherhood;
moreover, while encouraging others to give back to their
communities, she set a shining example of service; and
WHEREAS, A lifetime member of the General Federation of
Women's Clubs, Mrs. Vale was associated with that organization for
80 years; she was a charter member of the Pan American Round Table,
the Starr County Retired Teachers Association, and the Starr County
Historical Society; during her 43 years of service on the Starr
County Historical Commission, she served for four years as chair,
and she helped organize the Starr County Historical Foundation and
served as its chair for the rest of her lifetime; in addition, she
was a member of the Texas Democratic Party Executive Committee for
10 years; and
WHEREAS, This avid student of history and genealogy was a
member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and of the
National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century; in her late 90s, she
published a book entitled Eight Generations of Vale-Sanchez, about
her husband's family, and held a book signing at the historic La
Borde House Hotel; and
WHEREAS, Through her commitment to education and to her
community, Miriam Vale touched many lives, and her kindness,
generosity, and dedication will remain a lasting source of
inspiration to those who were fortunate enough to know her; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Miriam Smith Vale
and extend sincere condolences to the members of her family: to her
son, Samuel Franklin Vale, and his wife, Linda; to her
grandchildren, Mia Miriam Vale McNutt and her husband, Tom, Juanita
Eduarda Vale, Robert Arthur Vale and his wife, Cynthia, and
Jennifer Vale Ortiz and her husband, Dr. Juan Manuel; to her
great-grandchildren, Luis Enrique Ramirez Vale, Bianca Lucia
Ramirez Vale, Carson Elizabeth McNutt, Blaine Anne McNutt, Samuel
Jacob Vale, Isaac Matthew Vale, and Sebastian Vale Ortiz; to
Richard Luis Saenz, Danielle Saenz Muniz and her husband, Ivan,
Ivan Muniz II, and Briana Muniz; 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 Miriam
Smith Vale.
Guillen
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 846 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 31, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House