In memory of Daniel Chris Graney of San Antonio.

89(R) HR 848 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

H.R. No. 848

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, A life dedicated to the pursuit of social justice

and human rights drew to a close with the passing of Daniel Chris

Graney of San Antonio on July 11, 2024, at the age of 75; and

WHEREAS, Born on May 16, 1949, in Norfolk, Nebraska, Dan

Graney spent part of his youth in foster care before being adopted

by a Lutheran minister and his wife at age 18; after graduating from

St. John's College in Winfield, Kansas, he received his

undergraduate degree from Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne,

Indiana, and his master of divinity degree from Christ

Seminary-Seminex; ordained as a Lutheran minister, he began his

clerical career serving San Francisco's Mission District Hispanic

community; and

WHEREAS, While undertaking his ministerial studies,

Mr. Graney met his first love, a Franciscan priest named Roberto

Flores; in 1977, the pair moved to Houston, where Mr. Graney served

as a minister and paralegal for undocumented immigrants; he was

elected as a bishop of the Texas Province of the Southwest Regional

Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, but he was forced to resign

after church officials learned about his relationship; pivoting to

a career in law, he graduated as valedictorian of his class at Texas

Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 1987, and

he went on to relocate his practice, which primarily focused on

immigration law, to San Antonio in 1992; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Graney and Mr. Flores shared 35 years together

before they were able to legally marry in Vermont on October 15,

2009; after Mr. Flores passed away, Mr. Graney was fortunate enough

to find love again, and on June 9, 2017, he wed Rolando Jaimes

Mesco, who served as his devoted caregiver throughout his medical

challenges; and

WHEREAS, Despite retiring from his work as an attorney due to

health issues in 1993, Mr. Graney continued to make an impact

through his involvement with San Antonio's LGBT community; he

served as cofounder of the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio, as

chair of the Bexar County Democratic Party, and as president of the

Stonewall Democratic Caucus for the 2008 Texas Democratic Party

Convention; additionally, as co-chair of the Community Alliance for

a United San Antonio, he helped secure the historic passage of a

citywide nondiscrimination ordinance in 2013; and

WHEREAS, Dan Graney touched countless lives through his

selfless service and his unwavering commitment to the rights of the

marginalized, and he leaves behind a legacy that will long be

remembered; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas

Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Daniel Chris Graney

and extend deepest condolences to all those who mourn his passing;

and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of

Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dan Graney.

Martinez Fischer

______________________________

Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 848 was unanimously adopted by a

rising vote of the House on June 1, 2025.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House