Washington, D.C., March 21, 2003 - MANA, A National Latina Organization expresses its condolences for the loss of the life of the Honorable Irma Rangel, the first Mexican-American woman to serve in the Texas House of Representatives. Ms. Rangel battled cancer for many years and passed away on Tuesday, March 18, 2003, after a valiant struggle.

Ms. Rangel had an extraordinary life of public service, and is a strong role model for Latina leaders today. She received MANA's Las Primeras Award in 2000 for her distinguished career. Besides serving as the first Latina elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1976, Ms. Rangel was the first Latina elected as Chair of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus and the first Mexican American appointed to serve as Chair of the House Committee on Higher Education.

Representative Rangel devoted tireless hours to improve both public and higher educational systems. In 1997, she passed landmark legislation which mandates that state colleges and universities automatically admit those students who graduate in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. This act was in response to a court decision to dismantle affirmative action programs for higher education.

A former educator, Representative Rangel's achievements include: the Woman of the year Award from GEMS Television; Legislator of the Year Award from the Mexican American Bar Association of Texas; Latina Lawyer of the Year Award from the Hispanic National Bar Association; and Texas Woman of the Century Award from the Women's Chamber of Commerce of Texas.

"Irma Rangel was a real leader in Mexican American politics and a trail blazer in Latina involvement. She served as a mentor to so many who have come after her, and she will truly be missed," said Alma Morales Riojas, President and CEO of MANA.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that contributions be given to the Rangel Scholarship Fund at Texas A&M University at Kingsville or the Cancer Therapy Center in San Antonio.

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MANA, A National Latina Organization, is a nonprofit, advocacy organization headquartered in the nation's capital, Washington, D. C. With chapters across the country, it is the oldest National Latina membership organization in the United States. MANA, whose mission is to empower Latinas through leadership development, community service, and advocacy, envisions a national community of informed Latina activists working to improve the quality of life for all Hispanics. MANA also has the only national young Latina's mentoring program for girls 11 to 17, "HERMANITAS®" which brings over 100 girls to Washington DC to a summer institute that includes a briefing at the White House and a visit to the girls' Congressional representatives Information on MANA can be obtained at the web site: www.hermana.org or send an e-mail to hermana2@aol.com