HR811 - In memory of Yolanda P. Torres of San Antonio.

      H.R. No. 811       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, The life of a beloved educator drew to a close with   the passing of Yolanda P. Torres of San Antonio on February 24,   2025, at the age of 88; and          WHEREAS, The daughter of Rolando and Bertha Parga, the former   Yolanda Parga was born in San Antonio on June 13, 1936; her parents   were talented musicians, and she grew up with three siblings, Irma,   Roland, and Sylvia, in a household that shaped her love for the   arts; she studied the accordion with a classical teacher, and she   also played the piano, ukulele, and French horn, the latter as a   member of the Thomas Jefferson High School marching band; the first   in her family to graduate from college, she earned an English degree   at the University of the Incarnate Word and a master's degree in   psychology at St. Mary's University; and          WHEREAS, Ms. Torres began her teaching career with the   Edgewood Independent School District in 1957; during her years in   education, she taught English with a focus on classical literature,   and she served as a journalism instructor and school newspaper   sponsor at Fox Tech High School in San Antonio, as the yearbook   sponsor at Jefferson Davis High School in Houston, and as the   literary club sponsor at Thomas Edison High School in San Antonio;   in 1976, Ms. Torres became the first Mexican American woman to be   elected to the Texas State Board of Education; she was teaching at   Edison when she retired in 2000; among her numerous accolades, she   received a Making a Mark on the World Award from the San Antonio   Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and she was inducted into the San   Antonio Women's Hall of Fame; and          WHEREAS, Ms. Torres took great pride in her four children,   Denise, Peter, Tina, and Paul, and her grandchildren; she always   saw the best in others, and she was a talented poet, oil painter,   singer, and pianist who served as choir director for La Trinidad   United Methodist Church for many years; and          WHEREAS, Admired for her myriad accomplishments and her   remarkable ability to connect with students, Yolanda Torres   brightened the world for all who knew her, and they will forever   hold her close in their hearts; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Yolanda P. Torres   and extend deepest condolences to the members of her family: to her   children, Denise, Peter, Tina, and Paul and his wife, Alisa; to her   grandchildren, Tahnee, Peter Michael, and Savannah and her husband,   Curtis; to her sister, Sylvia; to her sisters-in-law, Dolores and   Sandy; 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 Yolanda   Torres.     Martinez Fischer     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 811 was unanimously adopted by a   rising vote of the House on May 23, 2025.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House