Lena Guerrero 1957-2008

I am saddened to hear about the passing of a good friend. Today former Texas Railroad Commissioner Lena Guerrero died after a long battle with cancer.

I first met Lena in the Young Democrats when she visited Pan American University in Deep South Texas. In the late seventies she was serving as the State President of the YD's and was visiting our fledgling organization. I was pleased to find out that she was from the Valley and had risen so high in the organization. It was quite a rise from the balmy fields of South Texas where as a child she worked as a migrant worker. Not long after she served with distinction in the Texas Legislature, representing a district in Central Austin. Gov. Ann Richards appointed her to the Railroad Commission in 1991. She was the first woman and first Hispanic to hold that post. Lena went on to serve as a lobbyist and I had many pleasant experiences working with her and her husband in my service in the Legislature.

Texas loses a real trail blazer and bright spirit with the passing of Lena Guerrero. My deepest condolences are expressed to her family and to all those who knew and loved her. May God speed.