SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 168

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 
recognize John Flores for his perseverance and exceptional skill 
in reporting the story of Dolia González and her son, the late 
United States Marine Sergeant Alfredo "Freddy" González, a
Rio Grande Valley Vietnam War hero; and
	WHEREAS, A reporter and freelance writer, John was 
formerly on the staff of The Monitor newspaper as an Edinburg 
Bureau reporter; it was there that he discovered that the
United States Department of Veterans Affairs had cancelled the 
benefits Dolia González had been receiving after her son's death 
and that the department was demanding $8,000 in reimbursement for 
an alleged overpayment of benefits; her son had been posthumously 
awarded the Medal of Honor for his exceptional bravery in the 
war; and
	WHEREAS, John also found out that the United States Navy 
was constructing a warship to be named in honor of Sergeant 
Freddy González and that the navy wanted Dolia to take part in the 
ceremony christening the ship; he helped make arrangements for 
her to attend the ceremony; and
	WHEREAS, When John became aware of Dolia's difficulties 
with the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the alleged 
overpayment of benefits, he wrote a series of stories on the 
matter that were picked up by various media outlets around the 
country; and
	WHEREAS, As a result of John's reporting, the Albertson's 
Corporation grocery chain generously covered the cost of the 
government's alleged overpayment; in the fall of 1998, the
United States Marine Corps honored John Flores for his efforts to 
care for the family of the fallen marine, and it is fitting that 
the Texas Senate pay tribute to him for his tenacity and 
successful endeavors; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commend John Flores 
for his outstanding work as a reporter and an author and for his 
efforts to achieve justice for Dolia González; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
                                                                        Hinojosa




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on May 9, 2006.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate