TITLE: In memory of Juan Cornejo of Crystal City.

SUMMARY: In memory of Juan Cornejo of Crystal City.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Family and friends will forever treasure their memories of the Honorable Juan Cornejo, civil rights activist and former mayor of Crystal City, who died on January 20, 2021, at the age of 90; and WHEREAS, Born in Crystal City to Espiridion and Ysidora Cornejo, Juan Cornejo grew up with nine siblings, Pedro, Sylvano, Jose, Francisco, Maria, Luis, Robert, Luz, and Christina; he was the proud father of a daughter, Olga, and he also took great pride in his nephew, Jim, and his nieces, Gabrielle and Melinda, whom he raised as his own; later in life, he was pleased to welcome into his family two grandchildren, Ricardo and Cassandra, and seven great-grandchildren, Julissa Brianne, Kalista, Brandon, Guadalupe, Rylee, Mazelle, and Miranda; and WHEREAS, In 1963, Mr. Cornejo played a leading role in the Crystal City Revolts, when Mexican Americans fought for their right to political representation in the city's government; serving at the time as a Teamster representative at the California Packing Corporation cannery, he and four other Mexican Americans ran for city council as "Los Cinco Candidatos" and won despite fierce resistance; Mr. Cornejo was selected from among the five to become the city's first Mexican American mayor, and he served until 1966; during the campaign that led to the famous March on Washington, he was a guest speaker alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. before 20,000 people at a Freedom Rally at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles in May 1963; and WHEREAS, A true son of Crystal City, Juan Cornejo won the respect and affection of all who knew him, and he leaves behind a legacy of selflessness and dedication to social justice that will continue to resonate in the years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Juan Cornejo and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family and many friends; 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 Juan Cornejo. King of Uvalde Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 528 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 9, 2021. Chief Clerk of the House