HOUSE MEMORIAL 31

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2022

INTRODUCED BY

Doreen Y. Gallegos and Angelica Rubio and Raymundo Lara and Joanne J. Ferrary

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REMEMBERING AND HONORING ROBERTO V. ESTRADA, A MESILLA VALLEY ICON.

 

     WHEREAS, Roberto V. Estrada, a Mesilla valley icon, passed away on August 28, 2021; and

     WHEREAS, Roberto was born to Apolonio Estrada and Rosa Valencia in Mesilla on April 26, 1937; and

     WHEREAS, Roberto began pressing corn tortillas at age fifteen and graduated from Las Cruces high school in 1957; and

     WHEREAS, Roberto started La Bonita Mexican foods in 1968, New Mexico foods in 1977 and Roberto's Mexican foods in 1987; and

     WHEREAS, one of Roberto's favorite pastimes included hosting the "coffee club" at his restaurant for many years, where he enjoyed discussions on many subjects and laughed with his "chunky-Dales" who are now left to mourn his passing; and

     WHEREAS, Roberto was a generous and caring man who supported many major community events and helped many families, whether it was with his time or his food; and         

     WHEREAS, Roberto was generous with his donations to assist the knights of Columbus fund-raising efforts; and

     WHEREAS, Roberto started the whole enchilada festival, which gained international attention and was named one of the strangest food festivals in America by USA Today in 2015, which was the last year of the festival; and

     WHEREAS, Roberto's world-renowned enchilada, which measured more than ten feet in diameter, included more than one thousand pounds of ingredients; and

      WHEREAS, on October 8, 2000, Roberto was issued a certificate of verification by the Guinness Book of World Records certifying "the largest three-layered flat enchilada"; and

     WHEREAS, in 2000, Roberto was instrumental in the sister city exchanges between La Mesilla, New Mexico, and La Ascension, Chihuahua, Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, Roberto received many awards and recognition as an outstanding citizen of Mesilla, an outstanding citizen of the city of Las Cruces, the southern New Mexico citizen of the year and the Hispano chamber of commerce outstanding citizen of the year, and he was named to the Hispano chamber of commerce hall of fame; and

     WHEREAS, Roberto was named the Hispanic philanthropist of the year by the southern New Mexico philanthropist society, and the knights of Columbus' Roberto G. Gamboa council 9527 awarded Roberto the "amigo of the year" award on October 26, 2010; and

     WHEREAS, Roberto was recognized by the United States senate for his contributions to New Mexico and by the New Mexico senate for his community involvement and dedication to the residents of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, Roberto's food was enjoyed and served during New Mexico legislative sessions, as well as many other events; and

     WHEREAS, Roberto has been described as kind and respectful to everyone he met, and empathetic and sympathetic to those less fortunate and those who were dealing with hardship; and

     WHEREAS, Roberto loved his community, his employees, his work and his dog, Brutus, but most of all, he loved his family; and

     WHEREAS, Roberto was most proud of his children, Ronnie, Chris and Yvette; and

     WHEREAS, Roberto is survived by his sons, Ronald "Ronnie" Estrada and his wife, Patsy, and Chris Estrada and his wife, Patsy; and his daughter, Yvette Estrada and her companion, Raul Gonzalez; and

     WHEREAS, Roberto is also survived by his wife and long-time friend of many years, Sylvia Estrada; his brothers, Ernesto, Jimmy and Charlie and his wife, Nellie Estrada; his sister, Victoria Hallford and her husband, Kent; and twelve grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Roberto V. Estrada, a Mesilla valley icon, be remembered and honored for his exemplary life; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the family of Roberto V. Estrada.

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