R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Joe Vera, Jr., on May 9, 1996, at the 1-2 age of 71, brought a great loss to the many friends and relatives 1-3 of this distinguished Texan; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Mr. Vera was widely known throughout the Rio Grande 1-5 Valley as a music promoter and owner of several dance halls, in 1-6 which capacity he nurtured his abiding interest in Tejano and 1-7 Conjunto music; he drew on his extensive talents and experience in 1-8 the music industry to bring to the area such renowned performers as 1-9 Conway Twitty, the Glenn Miller Band, and the Perez Prado 1-10 Orchestra, much to the delight of his many friends and neighbors; 1-11 and 1-12 WHEREAS, In addition, Mr. Vera pioneered the popular 29-hour 1-13 New Year's Eve dance marathon, and for more than 30 years, he kept 1-14 his audience well informed of key issues as a talk show host on 1-15 radio station KIRT; and 1-16 WHEREAS, A World War II veteran, he also enjoyed a successful 1-17 career as the owner of Joe Vera Trading Company and Big Joe's 1-18 Flowers, and further served his community as an active member of 1-19 the Pharr Bridge Board and the International Good Neighbor Council; 1-20 and 1-21 WHEREAS, Despite his many obligations, Mr. Vera worked 1-22 tirelessly to enhance recreational opportunities for area youth, 1-23 sponsoring numerous dances for teenagers at the McAllen Civic 1-24 Center; this remarkable gentleman volunteered with the Pharr 4-H 2-1 Club for more than two decades, and he was recognized for his 2-2 outstanding service as an Hidalgo County friend of 4-H; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Throughout all his endeavors, he was sustained by a 2-4 deep and abiding religious faith as a devout member of St. Jude's 2-5 Catholic Church, where he was involved in the St. Jude's Parish 2-6 Council and the Knights of Columbus; and 2-7 WHEREAS, A man of great energy and vision, Mr. Vera left an 2-8 indelible mark on the community he was proud to call home, and 2-9 though he is gone from us now, his memory endures in the hearts and 2-10 minds of all who were privileged to know 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 Joe Vera, Jr., and 2-13 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his 2-14 beloved wife of 50 years, Gloria Vera; to his son and 2-15 daughter-in-law, Joe Vera III and Alma Vera; to his daughters and 2-16 sons-in-law, Jo Ann Watts and George Watts, and Linda V. Herrera 2-17 Casas and Marcelina Casas; to his 12 grandchildren; to his 2-18 great-grandson; and to the many other friends and relatives of this 2-19 esteemed individual; and, be it further 2-20 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-21 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-22 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-23 Joe Vera, Jr. Gutierrez _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1113 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 30, 1997. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House