[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 153 (Monday, September 25, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING ARTURO N. BENAVIDES, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 25, 2017

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of 
Arturo N. Benavides, Sr.
  Mr. Benavides was born on February 26, 1938 to Anita and Carlos Y. 
Benavides, Sr. He graduated from St. Joseph's Academy before eventually 
attending Fordham University and the University of Dallas. He would go 
on to start several successful business ventures in a variety of fields 
including ranching, real estate, land development, oil and gas, and the 
hotel industry. He would also serve in the Texas National Guard.
  Despite his busy and successful business career, he was actively 
involved in several causes for the benefit of his community. He 
understood the importance of a good education and helped fund several 
college scholarships for students in Laredo, TX. A generous supporter 
of the South Texas Food Bank, Mr. Benavides helped establish three Kids 
Cafes where meals would be served for low-income kids.
  Due to his philanthropy and service over the course of several 
decades, he would receive many honors. His recognitions and awards 
include: being the honoree at the Empty Bowls Gala sponsored by the 
South Texas Food Bank, representing the United States as LULAC 12's 
Senor Internacional and Tejano Achiever, and serving as Honorary 
President of the Republic of the Rio Grande.
  Mr. Benavides' legacy will live on in the countless people that he 
helped during his remarkable life. He will be remembered not only for 
his success in business but also by how much he cared for those around 
him. He remained humble and was never one to boast about his 
accomplishments. He was focused on creating results not on receiving 
recognition. His life serves as an example to us all.
  He is survived by his daughter, Anna (John) Galo; his son, Arturo N. 
Benavides, Jr.; two grandchildren, John Roman Galo and Zoe Zelin 
Benavides; his brother, Carlos Y. (Leticia) Benavides, Jr.; his cousin, 
Arturo Tomas (Leslie) Benavides; nieces and nephews, Carlos Y. 
Benavides III, Guillermo D. Benavides, and Linda Cristina (Patrick) 
Alexander; and the mother of his children, Gloria Casso Benavides.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize Arturo 
N. Benavides, Sr.

                          ____________________