R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Ruben Dario Longoria of Edinburg on
1-2 May 15, 2000, at the age of 73, brought a profound loss to the
1-3 family and many friends of this well-respected gentleman; and
1-4 WHEREAS, Born on December 25, 1926, in Edinburg, Mr. Longoria
1-5 attended school in that city and at an early age left home to serve
1-6 his country during World War II as a United States Navy seaman,
1-7 second class; and
1-8 WHEREAS, After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he
1-9 made his home in San Diego, California, where he continued working
1-10 for the United States Naval Training Center and raised his four
1-11 daughters from his first marriage; and
1-12 WHEREAS, He returned to his hometown after 16 years and went
1-13 to work with his brother, Fred Longoria, owner and operator of
1-14 Fred's Food Store; while employed at the family business, he met
1-15 the former Leonor Molina, and the couple were married on November
1-16 18, 1962; and
1-17 WHEREAS, In 1963, Mr. Longoria returned to public service
1-18 when he became employed with the United States Department of
1-19 Agriculture (USDA) Screw Worm Eradication Program, and he dedicated
1-20 the next 18 years to serving the American people in that capacity;
1-21 and
1-22 WHEREAS, He retired in 1981 and was honored by the United
1-23 States government for 33 years of service to his country for his
1-24 contributions as a member of the military and a civilian employee
2-1 of the United States Navy, and while working with the USDA; and
2-2 WHEREAS, An avid golfer, Mr. Longoria was enjoying his
2-3 favorite pastime at the Edinburg Ebony Hills Municipal Golf Course
2-4 when he successfully completed a "hole in one" shot at Hole No. 6,
2-5 using a number three wood on a par hole, and his outstanding
2-6 performance was commemorated by the Edinburg Daily Review; and
2-7 WHEREAS, This caring individual earned a special place in the
2-8 hearts of many with his amiable personality, generous nature, and
2-9 wit that could spark a conversation with anyone; he earned the
2-10 affectionate moniker, "Taka Taka," from the myriad people he
2-11 befriended in the community; and
2-12 WHEREAS, Mr. Longoria also displayed his humanitarian side in
2-13 other facets of his life; he was a member of St. Joseph Catholic
2-14 Church and the Freddy Gonzalez American Legion Post No. 408, which
2-15 he served as second vice president and historian; in recognition of
2-16 his outstanding commitment, he was named Legionnaire of the Month
2-17 in January 1987; and
2-18 WHEREAS, Although Mr. Longoria will be deeply missed, his
2-19 bright spirit will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of
2-20 all those whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it
2-21 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-22 Legislature hereby honor the memory of Ruben Dario Longoria and
2-23 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his
2-24 loving wife, Leonor Longoria; to his son, Ruben Dario Longoria,
2-25 Jr.; to his daughters, Beverly Jones, Yolanda Perez, Olga Longoria,
2-26 and Susie Longoria; to his brothers, Fred, Mickey, and Charlie
2-27 Longoria; to his sisters, Viola Silva and Maria Olga De Roules; to
3-1 his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and to the other
3-2 many relatives and friends of this esteemed gentleman; and, be it
3-3 further
3-4 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-5 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-6 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-7 Ruben Longoria.
Gutierrez
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1017 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 15, 2001.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House