By Capelo H.R. No. 588 77R10507 GMW-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to 1-2 recognize the Honorable Joaquin Villarreal III of Robstown and to 1-3 celebrate his dedication to public service; and 1-4 WHEREAS, This esteemed gentleman joined the U.S. Air Force in 1-5 1963, and, after being honorably discharged in 1967, he earned a 1-6 bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin; 1-7 continuing his education, he completed his law degree at Texas 1-8 Southern University Law School in Houston in 1974 and shortly 1-9 thereafter returned to Robstown; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Judge Villarreal would achieve much success in his 1-11 hometown and the Corpus Christi area; after initially working for 1-12 the district attorney's office for a year, he was elected county 1-13 commissioner of Precinct No. 3, a post he held from 1976 to 1981; 1-14 and 1-15 WHEREAS, He then served for four years as the judge of County 1-16 Court at Law No. 3, until he was appointed by Governor Mark White 1-17 as judge of the 347th District Court in 1985; during his 15 years 1-18 as a district judge, he was well regarded for his integrity and 1-19 fairness, and it is a testament to the high esteem in which he is 1-20 held by the community that he ran unopposed in every election until 1-21 his retirement in December 2000; and 1-22 WHEREAS, One of the first Hispanic elected officials in the 1-23 Robstown and Corpus Christi area, Judge Villarreal has been a 1-24 pioneer and a role model to those who have followed in his 2-1 footsteps and an invaluable asset to the citizens of this state; 2-2 now, therefore, be it 2-3 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-4 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the Honorable Joaquin Villarreal 2-5 III for his outstanding public service and extend to him sincere 2-6 best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it further 2-7 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-8 prepared for this accomplished Texan as an expression of high 2-9 regard by the Texas House of Representatives.