REPRESENTATIVE IRMA RANGEL May 15, 1931 - March 18, 2003 First elected in 1976, Representative Rangel served her South Texas district for 26 years. As the first female Mexican American legislator and first and only woman to serve as Chair of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, she paved the way for others to follow. A champion of minority and student issues in Texas, Representative Rangel fought for her constituents leaving her mark on the history of this great state. During her first legislative session, Representative Rangel passed legislation creating educational and training opportunities for single mothers in need of better paying jobs. In 1993, she secured $460 million for South Texas with the South Texas Border Initiative. In her last legislative session, Representative Rangel passed a bill creating South Texas’ first professional school—the school of pharmacy at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. In 1995, House Speaker James E. "Pete" Laney appointed Representative Rangel Chair of the Texas House Committee on Higher Education. As the first Mexican American to head the committee, Representative Rangel led the charge to ensure educational opportunities for all children. Representative Rangel joint-authored and sponsored legislation creating the TEXAS Grant I and Grant II Programs, which have allocated millions of dollars in financial support to low-income students. In response to the Hopwood v. Texas decision, which ended affirmative action at all state colleges and universities, Representative Rangel pioneered landmark legislation in 1997 that is now receiving national attention. The passage of House Bill 588 requires state colleges and universities to automatically admit all students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their high school class.

"She leaves behind a tremendous legacy. She was the first Mexican American woman elected to the Texas House of Representatives, and served with distinction as Chair of the Higher Education Committee; and up until her death, she was still representing her constituency with honor and courage. She fought the good fight and she will remain near and dear to our hearts."

-Amalia Rodríguez-Mendoza,
District Clerk for Travis County

"She had to be a lot of things to persevere and succeed. She had to be smart, she had to be articulate, and she had to be tough. And she was all of those."

-Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, Austin

"She created a sense of pride. She changed our lives, and the lives of many Texans who may not even know her name."

-Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, San Antonio;
Chair of the Senate Hispanic Caucus

"She understood that the way people break out of cycles of poverty is through education, and she fought tirelessly, right up until her death, to make the dream of a college degree the reality for thousands upon thousands of students. Her life is a testament to everything that is good about public service. I called her a little angel, because that’s what she was: our little angel. I hope she is resting peacefully. Our loss is Heaven’s gain."

-Rep. Pete P. Gallego, Alpine;
Chair of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus

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