TITLE: Authorizing the burial of Susana I. Aleman in the State Cemetery.

SUMMARY: Authorizing the burial of Susana I. Aleman in the State Cemetery.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, State law stipulates in Section 2165.256, Government Code, that a person specified in a concurrent resolution adopted by the legislature is eligible for burial in the State Cemetery if the State Cemetery Committee finds that the person has made a significant contribution to Texas history and, based on that finding, approves the person's burial; and WHEREAS, Susana I. Aleman, who served as assistant dean for student affairs at The University of Texas at Austin School of Law for more than two decades, is a pioneering figure whose professional achievements helped further the worthy ideal of equal opportunity for all Texans, and her request for burial in the State Cemetery merits approval by the committee; and WHEREAS, A leader in the fields of education and law, Dean Aleman became the first woman and first Hispanic to hold the post of assistant dean for student affairs at the UT Austin School of Law when she accepted the position in 1984; during her 21-year tenure, she ably counseled thousands of law students on both academic and personal matters, and her success in that role helped inspire other minorities and women to seek a place in the ranks of senior administration in both the public and private sectors; and WHEREAS, Dean Aleman joined the staff of the law school shortly after receiving her doctor of jurisprudence degree from UT Austin; she also holds a bachelor's degree in secondary education and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from UT Austin as well as a master's degree in school administration from the former Texas A&I University-Kingsville; in addition, she was the valedictorian of the Class of 1972 at Falfurrias High School; and WHEREAS, Dean Aleman's record of service to her state further includes her work as a high school government teacher, student mentor, and youth development director and as the University Interscholastic League academic director in Brooks County; moreover, she has contributed her time and expertise to such organizations as the Hispanic Women's Network of Texas, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Texas Commission on Judicial Efficiency; and WHEREAS, In 2006, the Travis County Women Lawyers' Association honored Dean Aleman as a Pathfinder, an award that recognizes local women with law degrees who are role models and trailblazers in the community; her numerous honors also include recognition as an Outstanding Leader in 2000-2001 by the Hispanic Faculty/Staff Association of UT Austin; and WHEREAS, In light of her noteworthy contributions to the Lone Star State, it is fitting that Susana I. Aleman be allowed to designate the State Cemetery as her final resting place; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas hereby authorize the burial of Susana I. Aleman in the State Cemetery, provided that her application for assignment of burial space is approved by the State Cemetery Committee as required by law. Raymond Guillen Pitts Martinez Fischer Lozano President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 33 was adopted by the House on March 30, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 146, Nays 0, 1 present, not voting. Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 33 was adopted by the Senate on May 17, 2011, by a viva-voce vote. Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: Date Governor