H.R. No. 1079 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Leonelo H. Gonzalez on December 20, 1-2 1985, at the age of 76, brought a great loss to the many friends 1-3 and relatives of this distinguished Texan; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Deeply committed to educational issues, Mr. Gonzalez 1-5 was encouraged by his father, Professor Juan T. Gonzalez, to 1-6 continue studying and learning throughout his life and to help 1-7 others obtain an education as well; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Throughout his lifetime, he worked tirelessly to 1-9 improve the educational opportunities of the children in the 1-10 McAllen community, and in the late 1940s, he helped develop a 1-11 locally funded summer school program to teach English to the 1-12 district's Spanish-speaking youngsters before they entered first 1-13 grade; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Mr. Gonzalez continued to have a profound effect on 1-15 educational issues as a member of the McAllen School Board from 1-16 1951 to 1954, and in recognition of the many significant 1-17 contributions he made to the field of education, the school board 1-18 named and dedicated a local elementary school in his honor in March 1-19 1991; and 1-20 WHEREAS, A leading force in the local community, he organized 1-21 the Latin-American Businessmen's Association, and he served as a 1-22 positive role model to countless youngsters as a scoutmaster, 1-23 instilling in his young charges the importance of hard work, 1-24 cooperation, and other traditional community values; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Mr. Gonzalez also will be remembered as a devoutly 2-2 religious man who served his congregation in a number of ways; a 2-3 Sunday School teacher for many years, he also was president of the 2-4 Hispanic Methodist Men's Association and sponsored an adult 2-5 literacy program; and 2-6 WHEREAS, This remarkable gentleman touched the lives of many 2-7 people during his lifetime, and though his presence has been deeply 2-8 missed, his memory has endured in the hearts and minds of all those 2-9 who came to know and love him; now, therefore, be it 2-10 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-11 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Leonelo H. Gonzalez 2-12 and extend appreciation for his dedicated service to the members of 2-13 his family: to his beloved wife, Cecilia Cantu de Gonzalez; to his 2-14 two daughters, Iris Gonzalez Pearce and Cecilia Gonzalez Gutierrez; 2-15 to his son, Romeo V. Gonzalez; to his nine grandchildren; and to 2-16 his many other friends and relatives; and, be it further 2-17 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-18 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-19 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-20 Leonelo H. Gonzalez.