TITLE: Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus.

SUMMARY: Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Mexican American Legislative Caucus is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023; and WHEREAS, Founded in the Texas House of Representatives in 1973 by lawmakers of Mexican American heritage, the caucus is the nation's oldest and largest Latino legislative caucus; its members are dedicated to serving as a voice for a united Latino constituency across the state; and WHEREAS, The caucus has played a strong role in writing legislation and shepherding it through passage; in the 1980s, it pushed through the Bilingual Education Act, unemployment compensation legislation that included farmworkers, and a minimum wage bill for farmworkers; it also tamped down the "English-only" movement; members later successfully fought to increase funding for higher education in South Texas and the border region, and they helped shape the redistricting process; in the 1990s, in light of the growth of the Hispanic population, MALC opened membership eligibility to House members of any race or ethnicity who represent majority-Latino constituencies; and WHEREAS, Paul Moreno of El Paso became the first chair of MALC in 1975; the current chair, Representative Victoria Neave Criado, is the first Latina to lead the caucus in three decades; the House now has 17 Latinas, the largest number yet; and WHEREAS, In addition to Chair Neave Criado, the current caucus roster includes officers Vice Chair Christina Morales, Treasurer Mary Ann Perez, Counsel Armando Walle, and Secretary Armando Martinez, as well as Whip Ramon Romero Jr., Deputy Whips Elizabeth Campos, Ana-Maria Ramos, Jessica Gonz lez, Penny Morales-Shaw, and members Sergio Mu oz Jr., Gina Hinojosa, Trey Martinez Fischer, Bobby Guerra, Ryan Guillen, Richard Pe a Raymond, Erin G mez, Lulu Flores, Joe Moody, Lina Ortega, Mary Gonz lez, Claudia Ordaz, Tracy O. King, John Lujan, Gene Wu, Diego Bernal, Rafael Anch a, Philip Cortez, Eddie Morales, Oscar Longoria, Terry Canales, J. M. Lozano, Ana Hernandez, Ray Lopez, Terry Meza, Abel Herrero, Janie Lopez, and Josey Garcia; and WHEREAS, Over the past half century, the Mexican American Legislative Caucus has advanced issues important to the Latino community while working to make the Lone Star State a better place for all, and it is indeed appropriate to recognize its contributions; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus and honor its members for their service to the citizens of Texas; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the caucus as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Neave Criado Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2503 was adopted by the House on May 29, 2023, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House