[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 79 (Monday, June 2, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H4742-H4744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING PROFOUND SORROW ON THE OCCASION OF THE DEATH OF IRMA RANGEL

  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 159) expressing profound sorrow on the occasion of 
the death of Irma Rangel.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 159

       Whereas Irma Rangel, in 1977, became the first Mexican-
     American woman ever elected to the Texas House of 
     Representatives;
       Whereas Irma Rangel served the great State of Texas and the 
     people of Kingsville with honor and distinction for 26 years 
     as a Member of the Texas House of Representatives;
       Whereas Irma Rangel was Chairwoman of the Texas House of 
     Representatives Committee on Higher Education and was a 
     tireless advocate of educational opportunities for all 
     students;
       Whereas Irma Rangel recognized the value of higher 
     education for all young people of Texas and introduced the 10 
     percent rule legislation that entitled all highly motivated 
     and successful Texas high school students who graduated in 
     the top 10 percent of their high school class to be admitted 
     into Texas institutions of higher education, marking a shift 
     in college admissions;
       Whereas Irma Rangel recognized the importance of creating a 
     professional school of pharmacy in South Texas and worked 
     diligently to realize that vision;
       Whereas Irma Rangel was a staunch supporter of Texas Grant 
     1 and Texas Grant 2, which provided tuition and fees for 
     students who graduated under the recommended plan and 
     extended those opportunities to community college students;
       Whereas Irma Rangel dedicated her life to make Texas better 
     for all its citizenry, improve the quality of life for the 
     people she served, and especially expand educational 
     opportunities for the young people of Texas;
       Whereas the life and legacy of Irma Rangel serve as an 
     inspiration for the young people of Texas and for the poor 
     and powerless for whom she fought so passionately;
       Whereas Irma Rangel was a role model for young Hispanic 
     female students in achieving success;
       Whereas Irma Rangel placed high value on self-empowerment, 
     which enabled individuals to access opportunities to achieve 
     their goals; and
       Whereas Irma Rangel will forever be remembered for her 
     signature phrase, ``Will this hurt or help?'' when addressing 
     pending legislation before the Texas House of 
     Representatives: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) has learned with profound sorrow of the death of Irma 
     Rangel on March 18, 2003, and extends condolences to her 
     family;
       (2) expresses its deep gratitude to Irma Rangel and her 
     family for the service that she rendered to the State of 
     Texas;
       (3) recognizes with appreciation and respect Irma Rangel's 
     exemplary commitment to public service and her constituents; 
     and

[[Page H4743]]

       (4) esteems Irma Rangel as a role model for generations to 
     come in South Texas and the entire Nation.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Souder) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder).


                             General Leave

  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H. Res. 159, the resolution now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Indiana?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 159, introduced by my distinguished 
colleague from the State of Texas (Mr. Hinojosa), expresses profound 
sorrow on the occasion of the death of Irma Rangel.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation is a fitting tribute to the life and 
career of a remarkable public servant who passed away in March. Irma 
Rangel was the first Mexican American woman elected to the Texas State 
House of Representatives, and she was every bit as trailblazing as this 
distinction might suggest.
  First elected in 1976, Representative Rangel was best known for her 
outspoken work on educational issues, largely because she was a 
schoolteacher and principal prior to her career in government. She rose 
to the Chair of the House Higher Education Committee in 1995 in Texas. 
Her political career was as well known for her humility as it was for 
her many accomplishments, as she delighted only in improving the lives 
of her Texas constituents.
  Irma Rangel sadly lost her valiant struggle against cancer on March 
18, 2003. The Texas Governor ordered all State office building flags to 
be flown at half mast on the day she passed away.
  All Texans, and indeed all Americans, will miss Irma Rangel for her 
unrelenting passion and devotion to all people. Therefore, I urge all 
Members to support the adoption of House Resolution 159 that honors 
Representative Irma Rangel, and I thank my colleague from Texas for 
introducing this important measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa), who is the 
originator of this bill.
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois for 
yielding me this time. I also want to thank the chairman of the 
committee, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis); the ranking 
member, the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman); our minority 
leader, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi); and the 
Republican leadership for bringing this legislation to the floor today.
  I rise today as the original sponsor of House Resolution 159 
expressing profound sorrow on the occasion of the death of Irma Rangel, 
a courageous legislator and a great Texan.
  Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to honor a true 
Texas legend. Irma Rangel was the first Mexican American woman elected 
to the Texas House of Representatives, where she served her South Texas 
constituents for 26 years. She served on the Higher Education Committee 
for most of her career and became chairwoman in 1995, a leadership 
position she held until Republicans won control of the House this year. 
She stayed on as vice chair of the committee until she passed away.
  Her legacy includes over 25 years of working to improve minority 
access to higher education. During her 26-year tenure in the Texas 
House, Ms. Rangel devoted her efforts to increasing the educational 
attainment of Hispanics, bringing economic development to Texas, and 
empowering Texas youth with the tools they needed for success.
  It was Irma Rangel's landmark legislation that ensured that all Texas 
high school seniors who graduate in the top 10 percent of their class 
would be able to attend any public university in the State of Texas, 
including the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University at 
College Station.
  Representative Rangel was always ready to engage her colleagues, not 
only on the pressing issues of the day, but she also sought to raise 
issues that had been forgotten or ignored yet were important to average 
working families.

                              {time}  1415

  Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Rangel was famous for her quote, ``Will it help or 
hurt?'' She was also known to say, ``Why not here? Why not in 
Kingsville?'' And after dialogue, she took action. She fought for her 
constituents to ensure their needs were addressed by the Texas 
legislature.
  Her relentless efforts to help establish a school of pharmacy at 
Texas A&M University, Kingsville, the first professional school in 
South Texas, has emerged as one of her greatest contributions as a 
State representative.
  Not only was Representative Rangel a great State leader, she was an 
exceptional and courageous example of how to live with cancer. She has 
survived two bouts of cancer before valiantly battling brain cancer, 
which ultimately took her life. Irma was a positive force in educating 
women who faced the same adversities. Her straight talk, get-it-done 
demeanor, helped open the dialogue on the issue of cancer and 
treatments.
  Irma Rangel was preceded in death by her parents, Herminia L. Rangel 
and P.M. Rangel and her sister Olga Rangel Lumley. She is survived by 
her sister Minnie Rangel Henderson and her brother-in-law Howard A. 
Henderson, nieces Debbie Henderson and Margo Hoover and nephews Dino 
Henderson and Marc Lumley.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in extending the condolences of 
this Congress to these surviving family members, expressing its deep 
gratitude to Irma Rangel and her family for the service that she 
rendered to the great State of Texas, recognizing with appreciation and 
respect her exemplary commitment to public service and to her 
constituents, and esteeming Irma Rangel as a role model for generations 
to come in South Texas and the entire Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of Texas will miss Irma's unique style and 
engaging dialogue. She will be remembered for her great contributions 
in making Texas a better State for all of its people.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for 
authoring this legislation. I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I will simply indicate that I am pleased to join with 
the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder) and the gentleman from Texas in 
extolling the virtues of this pioneer who has contributed greatly to 
the development of pride and to education in her native Texas. She is 
indeed a role model, and I join with both my colleagues in extending 
condolences to her family.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay 
tribute to former Texas State Representative, Irma Rangel, who passed 
away after a long battle with cancer on March 18, 2003, at the age of 
71.
  Throughout her career, Irma Rangel was a trailblazer among Mexican-
American women. Born in Kingsville, TX, in 1931, Irma was a pioneer 
advocating for women, minorities, and the poor, ensuring a voice for 
those who might otherwise remain voiceless. Continuing on her path of 
breaking down barriers, Irma became one of the first Hispanic female 
law clerks for Federal District Judge Adrian Spears.
  In 1976, after 14 years of teaching in Texas and graduated from St. 
Mary's Law School, Irma became the first Mexican American woman to 
serve in the Texas House of Representatives.
  Mr. Speaker, this great leader spent much of her time in the Texas 
state house fighting for equal opportunity in education. In her fourth 
term, Irma joined the House Higher Education Committee, focusing on 
higher education because it was not guaranteed by the Texas 
Constitution. She once said her proudest moment was passing legislation 
in 2001, to establish a pharmacy school at Texas A&M University-
Kingsville. In 1997, after the controversial Hopwood decision, the case 
that struck down affirmative action in college admission at the 
University of Texas, Irma passed legislation to allow all students in 
the top 10 percent of their high school graduating

[[Page H4744]]

class automatic admission to any of the State's colleges or 
universities.
  Mr. Speaker, Irma fought tirelessly to the end of her life for 
improved education. Despite her illness, she waited an hour and a half 
to testify before a House Appropriations Committee hearing over 
proposed funding cuts for South Texas universities and community 
colleges.
  I would like to especially thank my colleague and fellow Texan Ruben 
Hinojosa for leading a special order in honor of Irma Rangel. Irma 
Rangel was a trailblazer and champion of Texas. Irma was not just a 
leader in Texas politics but also inspiration to all of us in the Texas 
delegation. I am certainly proud to have had an opportunity to serve 
with her and learn from her example. Irma was absolutely delightful, 
which made our working relationship so wonderful. I will miss her 
bubbly and cheerful spirit. The people of Texas and her constituents in 
Kingsville will miss her and her colleagues will fondly remember her 
courage, determination, humility, and devotion to public service.
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my Texas 
colleague's resolution expressing profound sorrow on the occasion of 
the death of State Representative Irma Rangel. On March 18, 2003, the 
Nation lost a leader, Texas lost a hero, and I lost a friend.
  Irma was a veterans of the Texas House of Representatives, having 
been first elected in 1976. She was the first Mexican-American woman 
elected to the House and I was privileged to work and serve with Irma 
for almost 10 years.
  She was a vocal proponent of higher education and services for the 
poor. During her 13 sessions in the House, Rangel spent most of her 
time and energy on minority and educational issues. She knew her 
issues, and she knew how to overcome any obstacle.
  In response to the Hopwood v. Texas decision, which ended affirmative 
action at all Texas state colleges and universities, Irma sponsored the 
10 percent law, which grants admission to State colleges and 
universities to students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their 
high school class.
  Irma grew up in Kingsville. She was the daughter of a man who picked 
cotton, learned to read and write on his own and later owned two 
barbershops and several other businesses.
  She taught for 14 years in schools in Robstown and Alice, in 
Venezuela and in Menlo Park, CA. In the later 1960s, Irma decided to 
pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an attorney. She received her law 
degree from St Mary's University School of Law and was admitted to the 
Texas Bar in 1969.
  Irma worked as a law clerk for U.S. District Judge Adrian A Spears of 
San Antonio, who was the chief justice for the Western District of 
Texas.
  She also worked as an assistant district attorney in Corpus Christi 
before returning to her hometown in 1973 to open her own law practice.
  Irma was inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame in 1994. She 
also received the Legislator of the Year award from the Mexican 
American Bar Association of Texas, the Women's Political Caucus' Texas 
Mexican-American Woman of the Year in 1979, the Unsung Heroines Award 
in 1991 from the Women's Advocacy Project, the Latina Lawyer of the 
Year from the Hispanic National Bar Association and the Texas Woman of 
the Century from the Women's Chamber of Commerce of Texas.

  She the first Hispanic in the state to receive the Margaret Brent 
Women Lawyers of Achievement Award from the American Bar Association's 
Commission on Women in the profession.
  Irma touched the lives of all those who were fortunate enough to know 
her. Her absence leaves a big hole in the Texas Legislature and in our 
hearts.
  Our thoughts and prayers are with her sister, Herminia Rangel 
Henderson of Kingsville.
  I would like to conclude my remarks by quoting from an editorial in 
the Houston Chronicle shortly after the announcement of her death: 
``Irma Rangel was small in stature, but she was always a large force in 
the Legislature for all those underserved by government and needing 
help. She was a trailblazer with a strong voice for many in Texas who 
had been unheard.''
  Irma was a trailblazer. The State of Texas is a much better place 
because of her work. She will be missed.
  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to pay tribute today to my fellow 
Texan Irma Rangel, who passed away in March at age 71. Rangel was the 
first Hispanic woman to serve in the Texas legislature and, more 
importantly, worked tirelessly and courageously on behalf of the next 
generation of Texans, by vigorously supporting education and expanding 
economic opportunities for our youth.
  Irma Rangel, who spent 26 years in the Texas House of Representatives 
and was Chairwoman of its Committee on Higher Education, is probably 
best known today for introducing the 10 percent rule legislation that 
entitled all highly motivated and successful Texas high school students 
who graduated in the top 10 percent of their class to be admitted into 
public institutions of higher education throughout Texas.
  I urge all my colleagues to remember Irma Rangel and support House 
Resolution 159, which expresses the profound sorrow of this House on 
the occasion of her death. I would also like to thank my colleague, 
Congressman Ruben Hinojosa, for offering this very appropriate 
resolution.
  Irma Rangel was an inspiration to us all, in her commitment to 
helping working families, in her bravery as she faced cancer and in her 
dedication to public service.
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, the State of Texas has lost one of its 
great voices, a leader with passion and energy working to improve the 
lives of the people she represented. We mourn the death of Texas 
Representative Irma Rangel who served nobly in the Texas Legislative 
for more than 25 years. She was a trailblazer as the first Hispanic 
woman to be elected to the Texas House of Representatives and the first 
woman to serve as chair of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus. We 
will miss her strength, courage, vision, and her straight talk.
  A close friend, an advocate for poor families and women in South 
Texas, Representative Rangel consistently fought to improve the quality 
and accessibility of education for her constituents. Her advocacy 
helped create the school of pharmacy at Texas A&M University-
Kingsville, the first professional school in South Texas. She also was 
a driving force in securing passage of the 10 percent plan, which makes 
the top 10 percent of students in every high school eligible for 
admission to any state college or university, in the wake of the 
devastating Hopwood decision.
  Her commitment to the people and families of South Texas, especially 
in improving access to higher education, has left a lasting legacy, 
Irma Rangel will be remembered as a women who, through her lifetime of 
work and service, demonstrated her commitment to community. We will all 
miss her.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong support of H. 
Res. 159, expressing this Congress's sorrow at the passing of Texas 
State Representative Irma Rangel. Representative Rangel was a fighter 
for the rights of the economically disadvantaged in Texas and it is 
fitting that this Congress recognizes her contribution to our country.
  In 1977 Irma became the first Mexican-American woman elected to the 
Texas Legislature. She served for 26 years the people of Kingsville in 
South Texas. She was a strong advocate for increasing access to 
education for the people of South Texas as well as for all Texans and 
she served as Chairwoman of the Texas House of Representatives 
Committee on Higher Education. Her relentless energy resulted in 
significant increases in higher education funding in South Texas, the 
expansion of the state's community college efforts and the creation of 
a much needed pharmacy school in her District.
  Mr. Speaker, Irma Rangel was a Texas pioneer. Her tireless commitment 
to her job inspired many others, especially Hispanic women in Texas, to 
pursue a career in public service. I thank Congressman Hinojosa for 
introducing this legislation and I yield back my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 159.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, on that, I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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