H.R. No. 431
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Memories of a life well lived may help to comfort
  those saddened by the passing of the Reverend Howard Leroy
  Bloomquist of Weslaco on February 15, 2023, at the age of 80; and
         WHEREAS, Born in Rockford, Illinois, on May 8, 1942, Howard
  Bloomquist was the son of Elmer and Georgia Bloomquist, and he grew
  up with the companionship of a brother, George; in 1963, he was
  joined in marriage to Delores Kraemer, and the couple went on to
  share a fulfilling union that spanned nearly six decades; they were
  blessed with four children, Kristine, Kevin, Kirk, and the late
  Craig Alan Bloomquist, and their family later grew to include five
  grandchildren, Brittany, Blake, Brock, Brooke, and Braxton, and two
  great-grandchildren, Averee and Addisyn; and
         WHEREAS, Reverend Bloomquist earned a bachelor's degree in
  theology from Minnesota Bible College; he began his ministerial
  career in Concord, Minnesota, and went on to pastor in other cities
  in the state with additional stops in Illinois and Indiana; along
  the way, he served as chaplain at a state penitentiary and as an
  emergency medical technician; and
         WHEREAS, In 1990, Reverend Bloomquist became the minister at
  First Christian Church in Weslaco; he eventually founded Central
  Christian Church, which continues to thrive today, and he served
  the congregation as pastor until his retirement in 2015; for many
  years, he was the chaplain of the Weslaco Police Department, John
  Knox Village, and Knapp Medical Center; he gave generously of his
  time and talents to the community in countless other capacities,
  including as a Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce "Red Coat"
  ambassador and as an active member of the Weslaco Rotary Club; in
  2010, he was selected as the Weslaco Outstanding Citizen of the
  Year; and
         WHEREAS, Howard Bloomquist lived a rich and purposeful life
  devoted to his family, his faith, and his community, and he will be
  deeply missed by all those who held him dear; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Reverend Howard
  Leroy Bloomquist and extend sincere condolences to his loved ones;
  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 the
  Reverend Howard Bloomquist.
 
  Martinez
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 431 was unanimously adopted by a
  rising vote of the House on March 16, 2023.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House