R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The citizens of Corpus Christi lost an esteemed
1-2 businessman, community leader, and treasured friend with the
1-3 passing of former State Representative Joseph John "Joe" Salem on
1-4 April 25, 2001; and
1-5 WHEREAS, The son of Corpus Christi grocer Sam Salem, this
1-6 native Texan joined the United States Army shortly after graduating
1-7 from high school and served his country as a pilot and flight
1-8 instructor during World War II; on his return to the Lone Star
1-9 State, Mr. Salem followed in his father's footsteps and became a
1-10 merchant, opening a successful jewelry store in his hometown; and
1-11 WHEREAS, Mr. Salem remained a resident of Corpus Christi
1-12 throughout his life and represented the area in the Texas House of
1-13 Representatives from 1967 to 1976 and served as an interim speaker
1-14 of the house; during his fine tenure as a state representative, he
1-15 earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues and
1-16 constituents alike as an advocate for education as well as for
1-17 legislation supporting local firemen and police officers, and the
1-18 establishment of the first four-year university in the area; and
1-19 WHEREAS, In 1971, he further demonstrated his commitment to
1-20 this nation during the Vietnam War by traveling to Paris at his
1-21 own expense in an attempt to meet with the North Vietnamese
1-22 delegation and make a personal plea to release American prisoners
1-23 and end the Vietnam War; appointed by President John F. Kennedy to
1-24 the Commission of Employment of the Handicapped and by President
2-1 Lyndon B. Johnson to the Commission of Employment of the Older
2-2 Worker, he also gave generously of his time and many talents to a
2-3 host of worthwhile civic organizations, and was honored for his
2-4 efforts by the Boy Scouts of America, LULAC, the NAACP, the Kiwanis
2-5 Clubs, the Alliance Clubs, the Optimists Club, and others too
2-6 numerous to mention; and
2-7 WHEREAS, In addition, this remarkable gentleman funded the
2-8 Boys and Girls Club Thanksgiving dinner in Corpus Christi for the
2-9 past 57 years, and in recent years had been giving away bicycles at
2-10 the event; and
2-11 WHEREAS, Joe Salem was truly a humanitarian, and while he
2-12 will be greatly missed, his legacy of compassion and selflessness
2-13 will not soon be forgotten; now, therefore, be it
2-14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-15 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Joseph John "Joe"
2-16 Salem and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to
2-17 his wife, Christine L. Salem; to his children, Chris Salem-Scott
2-18 and Joey Salem; to his daughter-in-law, Mary Salem; to his sister,
2-19 Marie Salem Habeeb; to his grandchildren, Devry Orrick Murgatroyd,
2-20 John and Price Salem, Brittany Ann, Cody James, Dylan Matthew, and
2-21 Sam Salem III, and Morgen Marie and Reann Salem; to his
2-22 great-grandson, Myles Edward Hernandez; and to his other relatives
2-23 and many friends; and, be it further
2-24 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-25 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
2-26 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
2-27 the Honorable Joseph John "Joe" Salem.
Luna
Capelo
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 947 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 18, 2001.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House