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