TITLE: In memory of Elizabeth M. "Lisa" Garcia.

SUMMARY: In memory of Elizabeth M. "Lisa" Garcia.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins citizens across the state in mourning the loss of Elizabeth M. "Lisa" Garcia, who died May 5, 2013, at the age of 48; and WHEREAS, Lisa Garcia was known by her legions of loved ones as a ray of sunshine, a force for the greater good, and an ebullient soul who believed in working for the betterment of the community; she was a highly regarded attorney and a deeply appreciated advocate for the underserved; and WHEREAS, Lisa Garcia graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 1987 and received her law degree from Texas Southern University in 1992; she served as an assistant attorney general for the State of Texas, an attorney with the Office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts, and a prosecutor in the Hidalgo County District Attorney's Office; and WHEREAS, After amassing a stellar record in public service, she entered private practice in 2004 in South Texas; most recently, she was a partner in the firm of Vidaurri, Lyde, Rodriguez and Haynes; and WHEREAS, Among her peers, Lisa Garcia was particularly admired for her advocacy work; she served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children, provided pro bono assistance to Volunteer Legal Services of Texas, and was a member of the Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid Board of Directors; and WHEREAS, She also helped to launch a nonprofit group of Latina professionals known as Las Comadres, which grew into an international network of 15,000 women, and she established an endowment at The University of Texas benefiting bilingual scholars from the Rio Grande Valley; and WHEREAS, To all those who had the good fortune to know her, Lisa Garcia was a rare and compassionate individual; she viewed any dilemma as a puzzle that could be solved, not as an obstacle that was insurmountable; her upbeat outlook was her trademark, and her loss will be profoundly felt for years to come by her loving family and her many friends; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Elizabeth M. Garcia; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 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 Lisa Garcia. Hinojosa President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 21, 2013, by a rising vote.