S.R. No. 191
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 191
In Memory
of
Alex Longoria
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens
of Mission and McAllen in mourning the loss of Police Chief
Alex Longoria, who died December 19, 2000, at the age of 53; and
WHEREAS, A native of Mission, Texas, Alex Longoria served
as a military police officer in Vietnam for three years before
joining the McAllen Police Department in 1971; after helping to
clean up the department and restore confidence among the officers,
Alex Longoria became chief of police in 1985; and
WHEREAS, During Chief Longoria's administration, the police
department grew from 138 officers to almost 250, and the annual
budget increased from $4.5 million to $16 million; he is credited
with taking a small and troubled department and turning it into a
wellequipped force; and
WHEREAS, The chief had a deep commitment to ethics and was
dedicated to making McAllen a safer place in which to live, work,
and raise families; he instituted a community policing philosophy,
created a number of specialized task forces, and stationed mobile
units around the city, all of which resulted in a drastic reduction
in crime in former problem areas; and
WHEREAS, He was instrumental in augmenting manpower with
technology and collaborated with city officials in developing
a fiveyear comprehensive plan for the department, which
included such advances as a computer database to keep records
of fingerprints; and
WHEREAS, A man of vision and a pioneer in local law enforcement
and community policing techniques, Chief Longoria was honored
numerous times over the years for his outstanding work; he received
recognition at the White House and recently at the United States
Attorney General's Office; and
WHEREAS, An exemplary and distinguished gentleman, Alex Longoria
was respected for his many accomplishments and his leadership in
the community; he was a devout Christian and a member of Saint Paul
Catholic Church; and
WHEREAS, A man of integrity, strength, and generosity, he gave
unselfishly of his time to others, and his wisdom, warmth, and
valued counsel will not be forgotten by those who knew him; and
WHEREAS, Alex Longoria lived his life to the fullest and was
a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he leaves behind
memories that will be treasured forever by his family and many
friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
77th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences
to the bereaved family of Alex Longoria: his wife,
Maria Margarita Longoria; his children, Teresa Elena De Anda,
Alejandro Romeo Longoria, and Veronica Laura Longoria; his mother,
Celia O. Longoria; his brother, Arturo Longoria; and his grandson,
Joshua Anthony Longoria; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the
members of 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 Alex Longoria.
Lucio
______
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the above
Resolution was adopted by the Senate
on February 6, 2001, by a rising vote.
______
Secretary of the Senate
______
Member, Texas Senate