[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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