TITLE: Honoring La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE) for its 10 years of service to colonia residents in Hidalgo County.

SUMMARY: Honoring La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE) for its 10 years of service to colonia residents in Hidalgo County.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, La Union del Pueblo Entero has been doing good work on behalf of the colonia residents of Hidalgo County for 10 years, and this milestone represents a fitting opportunity to honor this outstanding organization for its efforts; and WHEREAS, Originally established as an extension of the United Farm Workers movement, LUPE works to empower the residents of low-income immigrant and Latino communities to advocate on their own behalf for social and economic justice; in recent years, the group has focused on immigration reform, calling for respect and dignity for laborers and peaceful immigrants; and WHEREAS, LUPE's five offices in the Rio Grande Valley have marshaled the efforts of 6,000 members, 1,000 active leaders, and 50 colonia committees to make real improvements in the lives of colonia residents; in Hidalgo County, the organization has led a successful effort to fund and install streetlights in 10 colonias, and in 2011, it played an important role in gaining $14 million for drainage improvements and $122 million in federal disaster recovery funds to repair storm-damaged houses in these communities; and WHEREAS, The hard-working and self-reliant members of LUPE have made a lasting and positive difference in the lives of colonia residents of Hidalgo County, and they indeed merit special recognition for their efforts to create a brighter future for those less fortunate; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby honor La Union del Pueblo Entero for its 10 years of service to the people of Hidalgo County and extend to LUPE's leaders and members sincere best wishes for continued success with their important work; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for LUPE as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Guerra Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1922 was adopted by the House on May 15, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House