By Gray                                                H.R. No. 912
         76R15010 MDM-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of Rafael Marquez on March 4, 1999, at
 1-2     the age of 92, has brought a great loss to the family and friends
 1-3     of this beloved gentleman; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, A native of Cuba, which he left prior to 1960,
 1-5     Mr. Marquez joyfully embraced life in his new country and served as
 1-6     an inspiration to all who knew him; and
 1-7           WHEREAS, Mr. Marquez and his wife, Gloria, enjoyed a happy
 1-8     and rewarding relationship that was based on a strong foundation of
 1-9     mutual love, trust, and respect, and these values fostered a warm
1-10     and caring environment that nurtured their family of one son, a
1-11     daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren; and
1-12           WHEREAS, His adventurous spirit led Mr. Marquez and his
1-13     family to settle in several different areas of the United States,
1-14     including Georgia, New Mexico, and Texas; in 1977, this remarkable
1-15     gentleman and his wife made their home in Texas City, where they
1-16     lived for more than two decades before moving to Round Rock; and
1-17           WHEREAS, In his earlier years, Mr. Marquez devoted his
1-18     expertise to professions in the fields of accounting, management,
1-19     and government appointments; in his 70s, he began volunteering at
1-20     The Gulf Coast Center, a Mental Health Mental Retardation Center;
1-21     and
1-22           WHEREAS, Mr. Marquez shared his time and ample energy with
1-23     the center's sheltered workshop program located at Mainland
1-24     Industries in Texas City and became affectionately known as a "one
 2-1     person public relations office" for the program and the people it
 2-2     served; his commitment and enthusiasm generated outstanding
 2-3     community support, contracts, and donations; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, He volunteered so many hours at the center that he
 2-5     was offered a paid position and embarked upon a career that brought
 2-6     him much satisfaction until his reluctant retirement at the age of
 2-7     87; Mr. Marquez met challenges with determination, such as  his
 2-8     singlehanded creation of the center's wood shop although he had no
 2-9     previous knowledge of woodworking; and
2-10           WHEREAS, Those who were privileged to share the friendship of
2-11     Mr. Marquez will long miss his presence, and he will surely be
2-12     remembered with great affection and admiration for many years to
2-13     come; now, therefore, be it
2-14           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-15     Legislature hereby honor the memory of Rafael Marquez and extend
2-16     sincere sympathy to his wife, Gloria; to his son and
2-17     daughter-in-law, Ralph and Rosario Marquez;  to his grandchildren,
2-18     Miguel, Rafael and his wife, Connie, and Rose Churchill; and to the
2-19     many other relatives and friends of this fine man; and, be it
2-20     further
2-21           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-22     prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
2-23     Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Rafael
2-24     Marquez.