H.R. No. 877 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The wedding anniversary of two outstanding Texans 1-2 who have shared 50 happy and rewarding years of marriage is truly a 1-3 memorable occasion worthy of special recognition; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Rafael Mendez of Del Rio had the 1-5 privilege of commemorating such a momentous event in their lives 1-6 when they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on July 22, 1-7 1994; and 1-8 WHEREAS, The festivities were preceded with a Mass at San 1-9 Agustin Church, where the couple asked their close friend, Father 1-10 Leo Gauvin, to renew their wedding vows; as a special tribute, the 1-11 Mendezes' son-in-law, Sergio Mireles, sang during the service; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Later in the evening, Mr. and Mrs. Mendez were 1-13 guests of honor at a gala affair hosted by their children and their 1-14 children's spouses, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Mendez, Jr., Mr. and 1-15 Mrs. Arturo Andres, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Mendez, and Mr. and 1-16 Mrs. Sergio Mireles; they greatly enjoyed dancing to the music of 1-17 Freddy Gonzalez, and the pair capped off the joyous evening with a 1-18 trip to Breckenridge, Colorado; and 1-19 WHEREAS, United in matrimony in 1944, Mr. and Mrs. Mendez 1-20 have enjoyed an enduring relationship that has grown in love and 1-21 mutual respect with each passing year and that has been blessed 1-22 with the birth of four cherished children; and 1-23 WHEREAS, The Mendezes lived in Laredo before settling in Del 1-24 Rio and have been highly regarded members of each community, 2-1 raising their fine family and enriching not only their own lives 2-2 but the lives of those around them with their devotion to one 2-3 another; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Now surrounded by a loving family that has grown to 2-5 include their children's spouses, nine grandchildren, and, most 2-6 recently, a great-granddaughter, Mr. and Mrs. Mendez are deservedly 2-7 enjoying the many benefits of a full and active life together, and 2-8 they look forward to each day with the same enthusiasm that first 2-9 sparked their romance more than half a century ago; and 2-10 WHEREAS, Built on a foundation of mutual love, trust, and 2-11 support, their life together has been a source of joy and 2-12 inspiration to the many people who have come to know them; now, 2-13 therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-15 Legislature hereby congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Rafael Mendez on their 2-16 50th wedding anniversary and extend to them warmest best wishes for 2-17 their continued happiness; and, be it further 2-18 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-19 prepared for Mr. and Mrs. Mendez as an expression of high regard by 2-20 the Texas House of Representatives.