By:  Cuellar, H.                                       H.R. No. 685
       73R10511 PFG-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor
    1-2  an outstanding Texan, Jorge O. de la Garza, Sr., for his exemplary
    1-3  service to the citizens of Webb County; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, Born August 20, 1930, in Laredo, Mr. de la Garza
    1-5  attended local schools and graduated from St. Augustine High
    1-6  School; and
    1-7        WHEREAS, He joined the United States Army Corps of Engineers
    1-8  in 1948 and served his country with distinction in the European
    1-9  Command at Hanau, Germany, for nearly three years; in 1952, he left
   1-10  the military with the rank of Sergeant First Class; and
   1-11        WHEREAS, After returning to the United States, he embarked on
   1-12  a highly successful business career and in 1959 ventured into the
   1-13  world of private enterprise when he founded his own company, De La
   1-14  Garza Service Center, Inc., an air conditioning and heating company
   1-15  that he operated for more than three decades; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, In 1991 this popular local businessman decided to
   1-17  seek political office and won the election for Webb County
   1-18  Commissioner, Precinct 1, assuming the duties of commissioner on
   1-19  January 1, 1993, with characteristic readiness and vigor; and
   1-20        WHEREAS, Recognized for his knowledge and experience of the
   1-21  region, he has been appointed by Governor Ann Richards to the South
   1-22  Texas Regional Review Committee and has shared his considerable
   1-23  insight and expertise as a member of the South Texas Development
   1-24  Council and the Border Area Nutrition Council; and
    2-1        WHEREAS, Mr. de la Garza also is a valued member of the South
    2-2  Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association as well as the
    2-3  National Association of Counties and the Texas Association of
    2-4  Counties; and
    2-5        WHEREAS, An energetic leader, he has contributed to the
    2-6  economic development of his community as president of the
    2-7  International Good Neighbor Council, as a charter member of the
    2-8  Laredo Manufacturers Association, and as a member of the Laredo
    2-9  Chamber of Commerce; he also has given generously of his time to a
   2-10  number of other worthwhile local organizations including the Laredo
   2-11  Noon Optimist, the Washington's Birthday Celebration Association,
   2-12  the Alhambra Zahara Caravan #64, the P.E.P.  Program and Special
   2-13  Olympics Committee, and American Legion Post 59; and
   2-14        WHEREAS, Throughout his many endeavors, he has received the
   2-15  loving support of his wife Rosa Imelda and their family, which has
   2-16  grown to include six children and 15 grandchildren; and
   2-17        WHEREAS, Truly a pillar of his South Texas community, Jorge
   2-18  O. de la Garza has greatly benefited local citizens and our state
   2-19  as a business leader, a community activist, and a county
   2-20  commissioner; a man of tremendous vision and dedication, he is
   2-21  indeed deserving of high praise and legislative recognition for his
   2-22  many civic contributions; now, therefore, be it
   2-23        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
   2-24  Legislature hereby commend Jorge O. de la Garza, Sr., for his
   2-25  exemplary service to the citizens of Webb County; and, be it
   2-26  further
   2-27        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
    3-1  prepared for him as an expression of high regard from the Texas
    3-2  House of Representatives.