TITLE: In memory of Armand Mathew.

SUMMARY: In memory of Armand Mathew.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens of Brownsville in mourning the loss of Father Armand Mathew, who died June 22, 2013, at the age of 90; and WHEREAS, Armand Mathew was born October 21, 1922, in France; after growing up in Indiana and Chicago, he became impressed with the work of the missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and he moved to San Antonio and decided to serve in the order; he was ordained into the priesthood on February 24, 1949; and WHEREAS, Through the years, Father Armand served the people of the Rio Grande Valley with compassion, humility, and an enduring commitment to social justice; as a longtime priest of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, he served the community in a variety of capacities; and WHEREAS, Father Mathew believed that voting was an important step in the struggle to rise from poverty; he was the founder and longtime director of the Center for Civic Engagement at The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, and he worked hard on Kids Voting Brownsville, a program that educates children and young adults on the importance of exercising the right to vote; and WHEREAS, He was a source of enlightenment and hope to the people he served, and his advocacy for the less fortunate was an inspiration to all those who had the privilege of sharing in his life; and WHEREAS, A man of courage, strength, and generosity, he gave unselfishly to others, and his wisdom, his embrace of the fight for social justice, and his enthusiasm for living each day to the fullest will not be forgotten; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Father Armand Mathew; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his 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 Father Armand Mathew. Lucio President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on June 25, 2013, by a rising vote.