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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Residents of San Benito lost an admired civic leader |
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with the passing of José García Gonzalez on July 23, 2024, at the |
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age of 73; and |
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WHEREAS, Joe G. Gonzalez was born on September 14, 1950, to |
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Eliseo Gonzalez and Josefina García, and he grew up with the |
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companionship of a younger sister, Margot; he went on to serve in |
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the Texas National Guard and Army Reserve for 12 years, achieving |
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the rank of sergeant and distinguishing himself as a member of the |
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Support Company, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment; and |
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WHEREAS, For three decades, Mr. Gonzalez was employed as a |
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social worker with the Texas Department of Health and Human |
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Services; he assisted countless Texans through his service in |
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programs providing food assistance for those in need and help for |
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the elderly and people with disabilities; he retired in 2002; and |
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WHEREAS, Outside of his professional life, Mr. Gonzalez |
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contributed generously to his community; he took immense pride in |
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his 16 years as a member of the San Benito Consolidated Independent |
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School District Board of Trustees, which he served as president, |
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vice president, secretary, and committee chair; he played an |
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influential role in guiding the growth and development of the |
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district, and he was a strong advocate for teachers and staff, as |
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well as a proponent for sound fiscal management; his commitment to |
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San Benito students was further demonstrated through his founding |
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of the Jessica Beth García Memorial Scholarship Fund, which |
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provides financial aid to deserving San Benito High School track |
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athletes; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to his involvement in San Benito public |
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schools, Mr. Gonzalez volunteered as a youth football and baseball |
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coach, as well as the head coach of the "Joe's Misfits" men's |
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softball team; passionate about music, he found time to perform as |
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the lead vocalist for the Tejano group La Distancia, with whom he |
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released several albums; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Gonzalez's greatest joy was spending time with |
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his family, which included his wife of 50 years, Maria Elena, and |
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children, José Adrian, Yesenia, Hilario, and Cecilia, as well as |
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his 18 grandchildren and his great-grandson; and |
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WHEREAS, Joe Gonzalez was a man who gave freely of his time |
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and talents in behalf of others, and those who were fortunate enough |
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to know him will forever treasure their memories of his enthusiasm |
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for life, his strength of character, and his love of family and |
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community; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of José García |
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Gonzalez and that deepest sympathy be extended to his loved ones; |
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and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Joe |
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Gonzalez. |