By Gallego H.C.R. No. 77 75R5372 JTR-D 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.