88R22266 TBO-D
 
  By: LaMantia S.R. No. 409
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         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 88th Texas 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.