H.R. No. 142

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The life of an esteemed jurist drew to a close with
	the passing of the Honorable Fortunato Pedro Benavides of Austin on
	May 5, 2023, at the age of 76; and
	WHEREAS, The son of Ad n and Pilar Benavides, "Pete"
	Benavides was born in Mission on February 3, 1947, and he grew up in
	McAllen with the companionship of eight siblings, Tony, Ad n,
	Gabriel, Liza, Mary Lou, John Lee, Joe, and Ray; after graduating
	from McAllen Senior High School in 1965, he went on to earn a
	bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of
	Houston as well as a law degree from the UH Law Center; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Benavides entered private practice as a
	litigator in McAllen, and in 1977, he began a two-year tenure as a
	judge on the Hidalgo County Court at Law; he then returned to
	private practice before winning election to the 92nd District Court
	in Hidalgo County in 1981; three years later, he was appointed to
	the Thirteenth Court of Appeals of Texas by Governor Mark White, and
	he joined the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals after receiving an
	appointment from Governor Ann Richards in 1991; in the subsequent
	years, he presided over numerous Texas state courts, and for a time,
	he was a partner at the Atlas & Hall law firm in McAllen; and
	WHEREAS, In 1994, Judge Benavides was appointed to the
	U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals by President Bill Clinton, and
	he further distinguished himself through his service on the
	judicial council of the Fifth Circuit; he assumed senior status in
	2012; moreover, he was active in the Judicial Conference of the
	United States, and he was a member of the committees on
	international judicial relations and the administration of the
	bankruptcy system; and
	WHEREAS, Judge Benavides also found time to serve as a member
	of the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission for several years, and
	he established the Ramiro H. Guerra Youth Village, a residential
	facility in Weslaco for juvenile offenders; among his many
	achievements, he was named one of 53 "Faces of Hope" by President
	Bill Clinton in 1993; and
	WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Judge Benavides enjoyed the
	love and support of his wife, Evelyn; he was the father of three
	children, Amanda, Adelaide, and the late Ramon Joseph Benavides,
	who died in infancy; with the passing years, his treasured family
	grew to include two grandsons, Noah and Milo; and
	WHEREAS, Although Pete Benavides is deeply missed by those he
	left behind, his legacy of service will be remembered and admired
	for years to come; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
	Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
	Judge Fortunato Pedro "Pete" Benavides and extend heartfelt
	sympathy to his loved ones; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
	prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
	Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Judge
	Benavides.
	Guerra
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 142 was unanimously adopted by a
	rising vote of the House on November 7, 2023.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House