Late lawmaker to be honored by colleagues

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The lawmaker who died last year but still won re-election in November will be honored Tuesday by his former colleagues in the Capitol.

State Sen. Mario Gallegos Jr., the first Hispanic elected to the Texas Senate, will be remembered for his service to his constituents and championing progressive causes.

“Senator Gallegos’ courage was an inspiration for us all,” said state Rep. Carol Alvarado, who like Gallegos is a Houston Democrat.  “Whether he was championing issues such as public education or blocking passage of the unjust voter ID bill, he always fought for the interests of Senate District 6.”

Alvarado, who is running in the special election to succeed Gallegos,  will present a memorial resolution honoring the lawmaker Tuesday on the floor of the Texas House. Members of Gallegos’ family will attend.

Gallegos died in October of last year from complications of liver disease.

Before entering politics, Gallegos joined the Houston Fire Department at age 18 years and served for 22 years. He was elected to the Texas House in 1990. He was then elected to the Texas Senate in 1994. 

Despite being named one of the worst legislators in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine in 2001 and 2005, he was known for advocating for Hispanic concerns and issues of public education.

In 2006, Gallegos announced he was being treatment for alcoholism. A few months later he began suffering from cirrhosis of the liver, and in 2007 received a liver transplant. He later told his colleagues that he intended to served until he died.