By Shields                                             H.R. No. 632

         75R11427 JHS-D                           

                                 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.