H.R. No. 2938

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, In recognition of her lifetime of purposeful
	endeavor, Sister Norma Gutierrez is being posthumously honored as
	an Unsung Hero by the Westside Development Corporation at the
	organization's 2015 Westside Honors Exitos en Nuestro Barrio Gala,
	taking place in San Antonio on May 21; and
	WHEREAS, Norma Gutierrez was born in Mercedes, one of 12
	children of migrant farm workers; she attended The University of
	Texas--Pan American, and as a member of a campus ministry group, she
	traveled to San Antonio to hear Mother Teresa speak in the early
	1970s; it was this pivotal moment that led to her decision to join a
	convent at the Missionary Catechists of Divine Providence in San
	Antonio; and
	WHEREAS, Taking her vows after eight years in the order,
	Sister Gutierrez went on to earn her master's degree in theology
	with a minor in philosophy from Our Lady of the Lake University; she
	was first assigned to work with children and young adults in
	California, Brownsville, and San Antonio, and she later served as
	the youth director of the Diocese of Austin; and
	WHEREAS, Inspired by the work of Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, a
	psychiatrist who studied the nature of grief and dying, Sister
	Gutierrez went on to dedicate herself to hospice care; she received
	encouragement and support from renowned trauma surgeon Dr. James
	"Red" Duke Jr. of Memorial Hermann Hospital, where she finished
	part of her clinical pastoral education; and
	WHEREAS, Through her comforting presence, this gracious
	clergywoman strove to provide patients with peace and dignity as
	they neared the end of their lives; she shared with them her belief
	in the importance of bringing closure to their relationships with
	loved ones, and at times, she made gowns to dress infants who had
	died at birth, as a small gesture of compassion to parents
	confronting terrible heartbreak; and
	WHEREAS, Sister Gutierrez demonstrated the strength of her
	convictions during her own courageous battle with cancer; when the
	disease returned following a long remission, she chose to forgo
	chemotherapy so that she could continue to fulfill her purpose in
	the few weeks she had left, and she urged nurses to devote their
	time to patients other than herself; she was surrounded by the love
	of a large family, including nieces and nephews whom she treasured
	deeply; and
	WHEREAS, Expressing faith, hope, and love throughout her
	remarkable journey on this earth, Sister Norma Gutierrez made a
	meaningful difference in the lives of those under her care, and she
	is truly deserving of this prestigious honor; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
	Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Sister Norma
	Gutierrez on the occasion of her posthumous recognition by the
	Westside Development Corporation; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
	prepared for the family of Sister Gutierrez as an expression of high
	regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
	Martinez Fischer
	Straus González Otto
	Allen Guerra Paddie
	Alonzo Guillen Parker
	Alvarado Gutierrez Paul
	Anchia Harless Peña
	Anderson of Dallas Hernandez Phelan
	Anderson of McLennan Herrero Phillips
	Ashby Howard Pickett
	Aycock Huberty Price
	Bell Hughes Raney
	Bernal Hunter Raymond
	Blanco Isaac Reynolds
	Bohac Israel Riddle
	Bonnen of Brazoria Johnson Rinaldi
	Bonnen of Galveston Kacal Rodriguez of Bexar
	Burkett Keffer Rodriguez of Travis
	Burns Keough Romero, Jr.
	Burrows King of Hemphill Rose
	Button King of Parker Sanford
	Canales King of Taylor Schaefer
	Capriglione King of Uvalde Schofield
	Clardy Klick Schubert
	Coleman Koop Shaheen
	Collier Krause Sheets
	Cook Kuempel Sheffield
	Craddick Landgraf Simmons
	Crownover Larson Simpson
	Cyrier Laubenberg Smith
	Dale Leach Smithee
	Darby Longoria Spitzer
	Davis of Dallas Lozano Springer
	Davis of Harris Lucio III Stephenson
	Deshotel Márquez Stickland
	Dukes Martinez Thompson of Brazoria
	Dutton Martinez Fischer Thompson of Harris
	Elkins McClendon Tinderholt
	Faircloth Metcalf Turner of Collin
	Fallon Meyer Turner of Harris
	Farias Miles Turner of Tarrant
	Farney Miller of Comal VanDeaver
	Farrar Miller of Fort Bend Villalba
	Fletcher Minjarez Vo
	Flynn Moody Walle
	Frank Morrison White of Bell
	Frullo Muñoz, Jr. White of Tyler
	Galindo Murphy Workman
	Geren Murr Wray
	Giddings Naishtat Wu
	Goldman Nevárez Zedler
	Gonzales Oliveira Zerwas
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 2938 was adopted by the House on May 19,
	2015, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House