R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The recent passing of Joe Drago, Jr., of Port 1-2 Arthur, on March 20, 1999, at the age of 89, has brought a great 1-3 loss to the family and many friends of this esteemed gentleman; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Mr. Drago was born on July 28, 1909, in Salaparuta, 1-5 Sicily; he left for America early in life, settling in Port Arthur 1-6 and eventually opening the Drago Hardware Company in 1931; and 1-7 WHEREAS, The family store Mr. Drago founded so many years ago 1-8 is still in operation today, run by three of his children; in 1998, 1-9 Drago Hardware was voted the Best Hardware Store in Port Arthur; 1-10 and 1-11 WHEREAS, When he was not working at the store, Mr. Drago was 1-12 especially fond of gardening and his beach house, and countless 1-13 joyful family memories center on Mr. Drago deeply engaged in an 1-14 improvement to one or the other; and 1-15 WHEREAS, A naturalized American citizen, Mr. Drago 1-16 consistently demonstrated his commitment to his family, business, 1-17 and adopted state, and it is indeed fitting to remember him at this 1-18 time; now, therefore, be it 1-19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 1-20 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life and memory of Joe Drago, 1-21 Jr., and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to 1-22 his beloved wife, Josephine Drago; to his children, Mary Frances 1-23 Drago, Joe Drago III, Dominic Samuel Drago, and Jon Thomas Drago; 1-24 to his grandchildren, Joseph Allan Drago, Jon David Drago, Sarah 2-1 Diane Goggans, Matthew Drago, Marci Drago Peterson, Little Jon 2-2 Drago, and Josie Drago; and to his great-grandchildren, Renee 2-3 Elizabeth Kazda Drago and Jonathon Peterson; and, be it further 2-4 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-5 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-6 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-7 Joe Drago, Jr. Brimer _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 770 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 29, 1999. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House