R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of Rutilio R. "Rudy" Garza, Jr., on

 1-2     March 29, 1997, at the age of 55, has brought a great loss to the

 1-3     family and many friends of this distinguished Texas businessman and

 1-4     civic leader; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, A native of Mercedes, Mr. Garza began his career in

 1-6     the funeral home profession as manager and co-owner of Crespo

 1-7     Funeral Home in Houston in 1966; he owned several mortuaries in the

 1-8     Harlingen area and was the proprietor of both Harlingen Monument

 1-9     Company and Ashland Memorial Park Cemetery; and

1-10           WHEREAS, He contributed greatly to his profession in

1-11     leadership capacities with the South Texas Funeral Directors

1-12     Association and effectively served his colleagues as president; and

1-13           WHEREAS, In addition to his impressive career achievements,

1-14     Mr. Garza was highly regarded for his civic service and was active

1-15     with a number of noteworthy organizations, including  the League of

1-16     United Latin American Citizens, the Harlingen Area Chamber of

1-17     Commerce, the Knights of Columbus, the Cameron County Welfare

1-18     Board, and the Adopt-A-School and other education programs; and

1-19           WHEREAS, This eminent gentleman gave generously of his time

1-20     and talents to assist other causes as well, such as Rio Hondo and

1-21     Harlingen Future Farmers of America projects, county livestock

1-22     shows, the Miss Rio Grande Valley Texas Teen USA pageants, and

1-23     Bronco League baseball, and his involvement in these endeavors has

1-24     helped to make the community a better place in which to live, work,

 2-1     and rear a family; and

 2-2           WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, he was sustained by his

 2-3     abiding faith as a parishioner of Our Lady of Assumption Catholic

 2-4     Church, and he provided welcome support to many houses of worship

 2-5     in the community; and

 2-6           WHEREAS, A man of great vision, Rudy Garza, Jr., left an

 2-7     indelible mark on the community he was proud to call home, and

 2-8     though his presence will be deeply missed, his memory will long

 2-9     endure in the hearts and minds of all who were privileged to know

2-10     him; now, therefore, be it

2-11           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-12     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Rutilio R. "Rudy"

2-13     Garza, Jr., and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his

2-14     family: to his beloved wife, Consuelo Cantu Garza; to his son,

2-15     Rutilio "Trei" Garza III; to his three daughters, Sandi Garza,

2-16     Thelma "Tammy" Garza Almendarez, and Sonia Garza; to his mother,

2-17     Concepcion Garza; and to the many other friends and relatives of

2-18     this esteemed Texan; and, be it further

2-19           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-20     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas

2-21     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of

2-22     Rutilio R.  "Rudy" Garza, Jr.

                                   Solis                              Chavez

                                   Farrar                             Flores

                                   Gutierrez                       Hernandez

                                   Longoria                             Luna

                                   Olivo                             Pickett

                                   Rangel                             Torres

                                   Wise

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 709 was unanimously adopted by a

         rising vote of the House on May 16, 1997.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House