By Hunter H.R. No. 1085 75R16044 WMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The untimely passing of Norberto Daniel Cortez 1-2 Garcia on May 16, 1997, at the age of 54, has brought a great loss 1-3 to the many friends and relatives of this esteemed Abilene 1-4 resident; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Born June 6, 1942, in Hebbronville, he was reared in 1-6 Corpus Christi and was graduated from Roy Miller High School; and 1-7 WHEREAS, This patriotic Texan joined the U.S. Air Force in 1-8 1963 and served his nation with distinction for 20 years; for his 1-9 exceptional conduct while in the military, Mr. Garcia was awarded a 1-10 number of decorations, including the Meritorious Service Award, Air 1-11 Force Commendation with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Republic of Vietnam 1-12 Service Medal with two Star Engagements, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry 1-13 with Palm, and others too numerous to mention; and 1-14 WHEREAS, He continued his commitment to his fellow servicemen 1-15 and women as Taylor County/National Veterans Service Officer and 1-16 his post encompassed a variety of duties, such as holding meetings 1-17 with veterans' groups, sponsoring the annual Veterans' Day Parade, 1-18 Memorial Day services, and Thanksgiving and Christmas Day dinners, 1-19 and organizing the annual Veterans' Awareness Seminar; and 1-20 WHEREAS, One of Mr. Garcia's most significant accomplishments 1-21 during his years as a National Service Officer was the opening of 1-22 the Abilene VA Community Primary Care Clinic in 1996 that, without 1-23 his vital assistance, would likely have remained an unrealized 1-24 dream for area veterans; and 2-1 WHEREAS, In recognition of his vast contributions, this 2-2 remarkable gentleman received a number of well-deserved awards, 2-3 such as the 1993 Outstanding Veterans Service Officer of the Year 2-4 award, the 1995 Achievement Award by the Veterans County Service 2-5 Officers Association of Texas, and the 1992 Citizen of the Year 2-6 award from the Non-Commissioned Officers Association, which on 2-7 three occasions honored Mr. Garcia with its Exceptional Service 2-8 Award as well; and 2-9 WHEREAS, A dedicated civic leader, he was also a member of 2-10 the Dyess Federal Credit Union Board of Directors for more than two 2-11 decades, served three years on the Abilene Council for Alcohol and 2-12 Drug Abuse, and was chairman of the Taylor County United Fund Drive 2-13 in 1992-93; and 2-14 WHEREAS, Mr. Garcia was a man of rare commitment to others; 2-15 although his warmth and wisdom will be missed by all who knew him, 2-16 his remarkable spirit will surely live on in the hearts of the many 2-17 people whose lives he touched during his time on this earth; now, 2-18 therefore, be it 2-19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-20 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Norberto Daniel 2-21 Cortez Garcia and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his 2-22 family: to his former wife, Mary D. Garcia; to his children, 2-23 Madeline, Cyndi, and Christopher; to his brother, Frank Rene 2-24 Cortez; to his aunts, Blanche Amaya and Nativadad Garcia; and to 2-25 the many other friends and relatives of this beloved gentleman; 2-26 and, be it further 2-27 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-1 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 3-2 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 3-3 Norberto Daniel Cortez Garcia.