[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 116 (Wednesday, July 29, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2080]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE FORMER TEXAS STATE LEGISLATOR LEO ALVARADO, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 2009

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my 
colleague in the Texas Legislature, former State Representative Leo 
Alvarado, Jr., of San Antonio, who passed away on June 5, 2009. I 
served with Mr. Alvarado at the State Capitol in Austin during the 
1990s, both of us representing districts in Bexar Country.
  Madam Speaker, during the recently concluded 1st Called Session of 
the 81st Texas Legislature, the Texas House of Representatives adopted 
House Resolution No. 21 in memory of Mr. Alvarado, offered by my former 
colleague State Representative Delwin Jones of Lubbock, joined by Bexar 
County members Trey Martinez Fischer, Mike Villarreal, Joe Farias, 
Joaquin Castro, and Valerie Ryder Corte.

              The State of Texas House of Representatives


                         resolution h.r. no. 21

       Whereas, The passing of former state representative 
     Leopoldo ``Leo'' Alvarado, Jr., on June 5, 2009, at the age 
     of 70, has profoundly saddened the legal and legislative 
     communities and citizens throughout San Antonio and brought a 
     great loss to his family and friends; and
       Whereas, Born in San Antonio on April 23, 1939, Leo 
     Alvarado was the son of Maria del Refugio Parias de Alvarado 
     and Leopoldo Alvarado, Sr.; he grew up on the West Side and 
     graduated from Jefferson High School before enlisting in the 
     United States Air Force; following his service to his 
     country, he enrolled in St. Mary's University, where he 
     earned his bachelor's degree in political science and 
     accounting and went on to receive his law degree in 1974; and
       Whereas, This dedicated community activist helped organize 
     the J.F.K. Community Forum, which laid the groundwork for 
     West San Antonio agencies engaged in the war on poverty, and 
     served as a consultant to the Inner City Apostolate and as a 
     director of the Mexican American Unity Council and of Project 
     Health and Viable Economics; he was vice chair of the board 
     of the Bexar County Hospital District and worked toward the 
     purchase and reopening of Lutheran General Hospital to serve 
     downtown residents; and
       Whereas, Highly respected in his legal career, Mr. Alvarado 
     handled many complex injury and public interest cases; he 
     played an important role in landmark Edgewood ISO cases 
     involving the redistribution of funds from wealthy to poorer 
     school districts, which ultimately led to increased support 
     for education in lower income communities; he was a partner 
     in Weir & Alvarado, P.C., before forming Alvarado & Alvarado, 
     P.L.L.C., with his daughter, Rosemarie Alvarado-Hawkins; and
       Whereas, Mr. Alvarado was first elected to the Texas House 
     of Representatives in 1992 and served the people of District 
     116 for eight years; during his tenure, he was chair of the 
     Freshman House Caucus and was a valued member of the civil 
     practices, house administration, state affairs, 
     redistricting, insurance, and judicial affairs committees; a 
     man of principle and integrity, he worked to improve the 
     lives of all Texans, and he introduced bills relating to high 
     school education and redlining in the insurance industries, 
     among numerous others; and
       Whereas, A devoted and loving father, Mr. Alvarado most 
     enjoyed spending time with his family, whom he placed first 
     in all matters; he was also fond of hunting, fishing, playing 
     guitar, cooking, painting, gardening, and travel; and
       Whereas, Leo Alvarado leaves a legacy of accomplishments 
     that will continue to benefit people in this state for years 
     to come, and he will long be remembered with deep affection 
     and admiration by all who were fortunate enough to share 
     in the richness of his life; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives of the 81st 
     Texas Legislature, 1st Called Session, 2009, hereby pay 
     tribute to the memory of Leopoldo ``Leo'' Alvarado, Jr., and 
     extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his 
     brother, Carlos Alvarado; to his first wife, Gloria Acosta 
     Farias, and their son, Leopoldo Alvarado Acosta III; to his 
     second wife, Charlene Alvarado, and their children, Rosemarie 
     Alvarado-Hawkins, Christina Lisa Morales, Miguel Antonio 
     Alvarado, and Carlos Andres Alvarado; to his grandchildren, 
     Maria and Sharet Castillejos and Evangeline and Chloe 
     Hawkins; and to the other family members and friends of this 
     esteemed Texan; 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 
     Leopoldo ``Leo'' Alvarado, Jr.
       Joe Straus, Speaker of the House.
       I certify that H.R. No. 21 was unanimously adopted by a 
     rising vote of the House on July 2, 2009.
       Robert Haney, Chief Clerk of the House.

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