R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The members of the Texas House of Representatives

 1-2     wish to offer their deepest condolences to the family and many

 1-3     friends of Ezequiel Hernandez, Jr.; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, Mr. Hernandez's untimely and tragic death on May 20,

 1-5     1997, at the age of 18, has brought an immeasurable loss to his

 1-6     family, friends, classmates, and teachers, and the void that

 1-7     remains in his absence has been felt by many; and

 1-8           WHEREAS, A native of Redford, this Presidio High School

 1-9     sophomore was born May 14, 1979; he had an avid interest in history

1-10     and was particularly concerned with the chronicles of Presidio

1-11     County and the surrounding area; and

1-12           WHEREAS, Mr. Hernandez worked as a library aide and was a

1-13     volunteer for his school's Living History Project, which took place

1-14     at Fort Leaton State Historic Site; in addition, he actively

1-15     pursued dance and ranching, both essential elements of Tejano

1-16     culture; and

1-17           WHEREAS, A second-year student in Presidio High School's

1-18     welding program, he was a participant in the district's annual

1-19     competition; in the fall of 1996, he was selected as a student aide

1-20     for the Longhorn cattle drive at Big Bend Ranch State Park, a big

1-21     thrill for this young ranch kid; and

1-22           WHEREAS, Ezequiel Hernandez, Jr., was a quiet, thoughtful,

1-23     and gentle individual, whose time with us was cut short far too

1-24     soon, and although his enthusiastic attitude and friendly nature

 2-1     will be missed by all who knew him, his spirit will no doubt live

 2-2     on in the hearts and minds of the many people whose lives he

 2-3     touched; now, therefore, be it

 2-4           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

 2-5     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Ezequiel Hernandez,

 2-6     Jr., and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to

 2-7     his parents, Maria De La Luz and Ezequiel Hernandez, Sr.; to his

 2-8     brothers, Margarito Hernandez, Jose Francisco Hernandez, and Noel

 2-9     Hernandez; to his sisters, Belen Hernandez, Gregoria Hernandez,

2-10     Rebecca Hernandez, and Sara Chapa; and to the many other relatives

2-11     and friends of this beloved young man; and, be it further

2-12           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-13     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas

2-14     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of

2-15     Ezequiel Hernandez, Jr.

                                                                     Gallego

                                                                     Coleman

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 1316 was unanimously adopted by a

         rising vote of the House on June 2, 1997.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House