SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 409
 
 
  In Memory
  of
  Henry González
 
         WHEREAS, The citizens of Brownsville lost an esteemed
  community leader with the passing of former mayor Enrique C.
  González on March 24, 2023, at the age of 87; and
 
         WHEREAS, The son of Maria and Emilio González, Henry
  González was born in San Benito on November 29, 1935, and he grew
  up with the companionship of seven siblings, Reynaldo, Gloria,
  Maria, Delia, Emiliano, Carlos, and Carmen; in his youth, he
  learned the value of hard work through part-time jobs on his
  family's farm; he graduated in 1954 from Saint Joseph Academy,
  where he played on the football and basketball teams, and he went
  on to earn a degree in business marketing from the Agricultural
  and Mechanical College of Texas in 1958; he was a member of the
  Corps of Cadets in the C-Field Artillery outfit during his years
  in College Station; and
 
         WHEREAS, Mr. González worked in the cotton industry and
  traveled across the U.S. before joining the Brownsville
  Independent School District in 1962; over the course of his 13-year
  tenure, he served as an educator and later as the district's
  director of transportation and supplies; he became a trustee on the
  school board in 1975, and his achievements in that role included
  serving as president, securing passage of bond proposals, and
  guiding the construction of new schools; he later embarked on a
  rewarding career with the Oyster Bar restaurant, and he played an
  instrumental role in managing its Rio Grande Valley expansion as
  well as its location on Paredes Line Road; and
 
         WHEREAS, In the early 1990s, Mr. González returned to
  public office, first winning election as a Brownsville city
  commissioner and later as mayor, serving in each role for five
  years; under his able leadership, the city acquired a new city
  hall facility, completed construction of the Veterans
  International Bridge at Los Tomates, and established a Sister
  City relationship with Matamoros; he also guided Brownsville
  through a period of economic growth, and he played an
  instrumental role in promoting the Make a Difference Day
  community cleanup initiative; and
 
         WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. González benefited from
  the love and support of his wife, Mary Lou, with whom he shared a
  fulfilling marriage that spanned 65 years; he took great pride in
  his children, Henry, Cissie, Lettie, Magda, and Justo, and over
  the years, his treasured family grew to include six grandchildren
  and four great-grandchildren; throughout his life, he found
  strength in his Catholic faith; and
         WHEREAS, A devoted family man, a hard-working public
  servant, and an accomplished business leader, Henry González
  lived a rich and purposeful life, and he leaves behind a record of
  service that his loved ones can remember with pride; now,
  therefore, be it
 
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
  Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Enrique C.
  González and extend heartfelt sympathy to all 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 Senate adjourns
  this day, it do so in memory of Henry González.
 
  LaMantia
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on April 13, 2023, by a
    rising vote.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate