HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, The family, friends, and many admirers of the

 1-2     Honorable Sergio Gonzalez, Jr., were greatly saddened by his

 1-3     passing on June 9, 1995, and we join them in bidding farewell to a

 1-4     remarkable Texan; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, Born September 8, 1904, in Montemorelos, Mexico,

 1-6     Sergio Gonzalez, Jr., took on the responsibilities of manhood at a

 1-7     young age, when after the death of his parents he left the fourth

 1-8     grade to become the head of his household; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, At the age of 15, he married his sweetheart, Ninfa

1-10     Ramirez, and began his 20-year career as a railroad worker at La

1-11     Casa Redonda; he also continued to educate himself, as he would

1-12     throughout his life, by means of correspondence courses and his own

1-13     extensive reading; and

1-14           WHEREAS, The epitome of the self-made man, Mr. Gonzalez at

1-15     various times published four Spanish-language newspapers, owned

1-16     several restaurants, and was manager of the San Felipe water

1-17     system; and

1-18           WHEREAS, In addition to this impressive list of

1-19     accomplishments, Mr. Gonzalez worked as an interpreter in federal

1-20     court, and it was from this job that his career as a jurist sprang;

1-21     appointed justice of the peace in 1963, he served in that post with

1-22     distinction for eight years before becoming a county judge, a

1-23     position he held for 20 years; and

1-24           WHEREAS, A vital and valued leader in his community, Judge

 2-1     Gonzalez gave freely of his time and energy to numerous

 2-2     organizations; he was a founding member of the League of United

 2-3     Latin American Citizens, the United Civic Organization, and the

 2-4     Liga de Proteccion Mexicana, and he was also an esteemed member of

 2-5     the St.  Joseph's Men's Club; and

 2-6           WHEREAS, Despite his many achievements, Mr. Gonzalez drew his

 2-7     greatest strength and inspiration from his large and loving family,

 2-8     and the role he treasured most was that of devoted husband and

 2-9     father; and

2-10           WHEREAS, The life and career of Judge Sergio Gonzalez, Jr.,

2-11     stand as eloquent testimony to this notable gentleman's drive,

2-12     intelligence, and ability, and though he has been missed, his

2-13     influence continues to be felt today by the many people whose lives

2-14     he touched; now, therefore, be it

2-15           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

2-16     hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Honorable Sergio Gonzalez,

2-17     Jr., and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to

2-18     his son, Joseph Michael Gonzalez; to his daughters, Janie Owens,

2-19     Lupita Mireles, and Amalia Forehand; to his grandchildren,

2-20     great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and to all his

2-21     relatives and friends; and, be it further

2-22           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-23     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas

2-24     House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in

2-25     memory of the Honorable Sergio Gonzalez, Jr.

                                                                     Gallego

         _______________________________     _______________________________

             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.C.R. No. 77 was unanimously adopted by a

         rising vote of the House on April 17, 1997.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House

               I certify that H.C.R. No. 77 was adopted by the Senate on

         April 17, 1997, by a viva-voce vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Secretary of the Senate

         APPROVED:  _______________________

                            Date

                    _______________________

                          Governor