H.R. No. 1589



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, As Hipolito H. Garza celebrates his 80th birthday on 
November 8, 2003, he joins the ranks of octogenarians living in 
Texas whose lifetime of work and experience greatly benefits their 
state; and
	WHEREAS, A native of Kingsville, he joined the 9th Army Air 
Force at the age of 18 and served his country with distinction as a 
member of the 596th Bomb Squadron, 397th Bomb Group; he 
participated in 28 missions over France, Belgium, Holland, 
Luxembourg, and Germany, during which he was shot down on three 
occasions, sustaining a lifelong back injury; he was honorably 
discharged in 1945 with the rank of staff sergeant; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Garza's meritorious military service was 
recognized with the European-African Middle East Theater Ribbon 
with 2 Bronze Stars, an Overseas Bar, an Aerial Gunner Badge, and 
the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters; and
	WHEREAS, Returning home after the war, he attended Texas A&I 
University and established a career with the Corpus Christi Army 
Depot as an aircraft sheet metal worker whose responsibilities 
included repairing Huey helicopters for use in Vietnam; he retired 
after a notable career that spanned more than 33 years; and
	WHEREAS, In 1980, Mr. Garza again enrolled at Texas A&I 
University  to complete requirements for a bachelor's degree in 
secondary education; over the course of four years of teaching at 
Robstown High School, he sponsored the Vocational Industrial Clubs 
of America (VICA) and proudly watched his students serve as 
president of the state VICA organization for two consecutive years; 
and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Garza has always been ready to lend a helping 
hand with his children's school carnivals and other activities, 
with the work of the Knights of Columbus, and with sponsorship of a 
Hispanic youth club, the Kingsmen, comprised of teenagers attending 
H. M. King High School in Kingsville; and
	WHEREAS, As he marks eight decades, Mr. Garza can take great 
pride in his achievements as a successful citizen, veteran, 
husband, father of six, retired civil service employee, educator, 
youth activities sponsor, and community servant; now, therefore, be 
it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor Hipolito H. Garza on the eve of the joyous 
occasion of his 80th birthday and extend to him warmest best wishes 
for continued happiness; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mr. Garza as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.

                                                                         Escobar

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 1589 was adopted by the House on May 
30, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House