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