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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to |
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a close with the passing of McAllen assistant city manager Joe Vera |
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III on April 16, 2025, at the age of 69; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Joe Vera Jr. and Gloria Vera, Joe Vera was |
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born in Pharr, where he grew up with the companionship of two |
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sisters, Joann and Linda; he developed a strong work ethic from an |
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early age, and his leadership abilities earned him the rank of Eagle |
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Scout; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Vera enjoyed a long and rewarding career in |
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public service; as the assistant city manager for the City of |
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McAllen for nearly 11 years, he spearheaded the creation and |
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expansion of such landmark events as the award-winning McAllen |
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Holiday Parade, the South Pole Illuminated Festival, and the |
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McAllen Marathon; prior to that role, he worked for the City of |
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Hidalgo, helping to launch Borderfest, overseeing the development |
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of the Dodge Arena, now known as the Payne Arena, and securing |
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historic retail and economic initiatives; in addition, he was the |
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world board chair of the International Festivals & Events |
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Association, and his accomplishments earned him numerous |
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accolades, including induction into the IFEA Hall of Fame and the |
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Texas Festivals & Events Association Hall of Honor; and |
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WHEREAS, Active in his community, Mr. Vera was involved in |
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United Way, the Lions Club, and 4-H; a man of faith, he was a |
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congregant of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hidalgo for more than |
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four decades; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Vera benefited from the |
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love and support of his wife, Alma, and he was the proud father of |
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two children, Trisha and Homer; over the years, their cherished |
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family grew to include two grandchildren, Ryan and Reena; and |
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WHEREAS, Joe Vera was a man of great compassion who found joy |
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and inspiration in helping others, and he leaves behind a legacy of |
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good works that will long resonate throughout Hidalgo County and |
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beyond; 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 Joe Vera III and |
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extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his |
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wife, Alma Vera; to his children, Trisha Garza and Homer Garza and |
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his wife, Sonya; to his grandchildren, Ryan and Reena; to his |
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sisters, Joann Watts and her husband, George, and Linda Casas; and |
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to his many other relatives and friends; 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 Vera. |
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Muñoz |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 934 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the House on May 23, 2025. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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