R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Jiovanni Batista "John" Zito on July 1-2 12, 1996, at the age of 78, brought a great loss to the family and 1-3 many friends of this beloved gentleman; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Born on August 21, 1917, in Rhode Island, Mr. Zito 1-5 joined the U.S. Army at age 17 and went on to achieve a successful 1-6 25-year career in the military, retiring in 1959 with the rank of 1-7 major; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Following his retirement, Mr. Zito relocated to San 1-9 Antonio with his wife, Frances, and his young daughter, Pamela, and 1-10 began working for Rod East Volkswagen; in 1968, Mr. Zito received 1-11 Volkswagen's Outstanding National Salesman award at a ceremony in 1-12 New York, and the event was one of the highlights of his many years 1-13 of dedicated service; and 1-14 WHEREAS, It was during his 16-year tenure with Volkswagen 1-15 that this dynamic gentleman accepted Christ as his personal savior 1-16 at a Billy Graham revival; from that point on, he remained deeply 1-17 committed to the church and stayed actively involved in its many 1-18 good works; and 1-19 WHEREAS, In 1975, Mr. Zito and his wife embarked on what 1-20 would soon become a successful entrepreneurial venture when the 1-21 couple opened Zito's Sandwich Shop; the large, stuffed sandwiches, 1-22 reminiscent of similar creations from Mr. Zito's childhood in Rhode 1-23 Island, were a huge hit among the residents of San Antonio, and the 1-24 constant presence of Mr. Zito added greatly to the restaurant's 2-1 exuberant atmosphere; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Jiovanni Batista "John" Zito was a man of great 2-3 compassion, warmth, and understanding, and although his guidance 2-4 has been missed by all who knew him, his spirit has continued to 2-5 live on in the hearts and minds of the many people whose lives he 2-6 touched; now, therefore, be it 2-7 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-8 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Jiovanni Batista 2-9 "John" Zito and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his 2-10 family: to his wife, Mary Frances Zito; to his daughter and 2-11 son-in-law, Pamela and Doyle Peterson; to his sons and 2-12 daughters-in-law, Robert and Pam Zito and Brad and Teresa Zito; to 2-13 his grandchildren, Blaine, Corby, and Brett Peterson, Melissa, 2-14 Michael, and Matthew Zito, and Courtney and Caroline Zito; and to 2-15 the many other relatives and friends of this esteemed gentleman; 2-16 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 Jiovanni Batista "John" Zito. Shields _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 632 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 10, 1997. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House