S.R. No. 821
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 821
In Memory
of
Sulema B. Garza
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins with
the citizens of Brooks County in mourning the death of
Sulema B. Garza, who died April 4, 1999, at the age of 84; and
WHEREAS, In all her personal endeavors, Miss Garza
dedicated her life to helping others and her loss will be deeply
felt by all who had the pleasure to know her; and
WHEREAS, Born in Falfurrias, Texas, on February 7, 1915,
she was the youngest of eight children; she graduated from
Falfurrias High School and attended Texas A&I University, where
she received a bachelor of arts and a master's degree; and
WHEREAS, Her childhood dream of becoming a teacher was
finally realized; a dream that lasted for 20 years until she
decided to enter the political arena; and
WHEREAS, In 1955, Miss Garza was elected Brooks County
Treasurer, the first woman in the history of the county ever to
be elected to a public office; her dedication as a public servant
earned her numerous accolades in the 35 years that she held the
position; and
WHEREAS, During her tenure, Sulema served as President and
was elected to the Board of Directors of the County Treasurer's
Association of Texas; in 1971, she was named "Outstanding County
Treasurer of Texas"; she retired in 1990; and
WHEREAS, Ending her public service career gave her even
more time to spend on her civic-mindedness; Miss Garza served as
President of the Falfurrias Business and Professional Women's Club,
the Sacred Heart Club, the Falfurrias Chamber of Commerce, the
American Cancer Society, and the Woodmen of the World Society; and
WHEREAS, She also volunteered her time as Treasurer
of the Salvation Army and the American Cancer Society Memorial
Fund for more than 30 years; she was Treasurer for the
Falfurrias-Premont Retired Teachers Association, Saint Vincent
De Paul's Society, the Brooks County Historical Commission,
Sacred Heart Church Finance Committee, the Brooks County Hospital
Auxiliary, and Senior Advocacy in the Coastal Bend; and
WHEREAS, Being a member of the Brooks County Historical
Commission, coupled with roots in the area dating back to 1871,
inspired her to formulate Frontier Week, a celebration honoring
the frontiersmen who helped make Brooks County what it is today
and a tribute to people like Miss Garza who dared to forge into
uncharted territory; and
WHEREAS, She was a woman of great vitality and involved
herself wherever needed; this unending dedication to serve did
not go unrecognized, for she was named "Outstanding Woman of the
Year of Brooks County" in 1966, the Salvation Army selected her
as "Woman of the Year" for 1967-1968, and Grey Fest honored her
as the "Outstanding Senior Citizen of Brooks County"; and
WHEREAS, Having given of herself so freely and generously
for well over half a century, her impact on South Texas will not
soon be forgotten; she paved the way for bringing Brooks County
into the 1990s, a legacy that will go unchallenged; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
76th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the members
of her family: her daughters, Irene Escalante and Imelda Soliz;
and her brother, Rodolfo Garza; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
the members of her family as an expression of deepest sympathy
from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day,
it do so in memory of Sulema B. Garza.
Truan
Armbrister
Barrientos
Bernsen
Bivins
Brown
Cain
Carona
Duncan
Ellis
Fraser
Gallegos
Harris
Haywood
Jackson
Lindsay
Lucio
Luna
Madla
Moncrief
Nelson
Nixon
Ogden
Ratliff
Shapiro
Shapleigh
Sibley
Wentworth
West
Whitmire
Zaffirini
Perry, President of the Senate
______________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the above
Resolution was adopted by the Senate
on May 3, 1999, by a rising vote.
______________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
______________________________________
Dean of the Senate