By Gutierrez H.R. No. 445 74R7892 KMP-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Granjeno resident Demetrio Ochoa served his nation 1-2 with honor and distinction as a member of the United States Army 1-3 from 1917 to 1919 and has received special commendation from the 1-4 Department of Veterans Affairs, which last year presented him with 1-5 a medal commemorating the 75th anniversary of World War I; and 1-6 WHEREAS, The presentation occurred on February 6, 1994, and 1-7 was attended by several hundred enthusiastic well-wishers, 1-8 including Martin Villarreal of the Texas Veterans Commission, 1-9 United States Congressman E. "Kika" de la Garza, and State 1-10 Representative Roberto Gutierrez, who awarded Mr. Ochoa the flag 1-11 that flew over the Texas State Capitol on Veterans Day 1993; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Mr. Ochoa began his distinguished military career in 1-13 1917, when he answered his country's call to arms and enlisted in 1-14 the United States Army; he was soon on a train bound for Camp 1-15 Dodge, Iowa, and later trained with the 11th Cavalry in an area 1-16 where Civil War battles once took place; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Stationed in Kentucky, Missouri, and the Panama 1-18 Canal Zone during the war, Mr. Ochoa found himself in the company 1-19 of many soldiers who were recent immigrants to the United States, 1-20 and he quickly became a proficient speaker of Italian, French, and 1-21 German; this remarkable ear for languages made him a much 1-22 sought-after military translator, and he was recruited to serve in 1-23 the offices of two top generals; and 1-24 WHEREAS, This exceptional individual watched as his efforts 2-1 helped bring an end to one of the fiercest wars in history, and on 2-2 July 21, 1919, he received an honorable discharge; returning to 2-3 civilian life, Mr. Ochoa spent some time in Minnesota and Illinois 2-4 before returning to his roots in the Lone Star State, where he 2-5 embarked on a number of successful careers in construction, 2-6 masonry, and ranching; and 2-7 WHEREAS, This fine Texan enjoyed a happy and rewarding family 2-8 life with his wife of many years, the former Filomena Rios, and 2-9 with his six children, Rosa, Ramiro, Maria, Pablo, Janie, and 2-10 Demetrio, Jr.; he also takes great pride in his 10 grandchildren 2-11 and his 12 great-grandchildren; and 2-12 WHEREAS, Throughout his rich and productive life, Mr. Ochoa 2-13 has shown himself to be a man of integrity and courage; he also has 2-14 displayed unwavering dedication in serving his community, state, 2-15 and nation, and his many notable accomplishments are indeed worthy 2-16 of special legislative recognition at this time; now, therefore, be 2-17 it 2-18 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-19 Legislature hereby commend Demetrio Ochoa for his outstanding 2-20 service to the State of Texas and the United States of America; 2-21 and, be it further 2-22 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-23 prepared for Mr. Ochoa as an expression of gratitude and high 2-24 regard by the Texas House of Representatives.