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