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79R15574 SKA-F

By:  Pena                                                       H.C.R. No. 195



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, Texas was blessed when Jeramie Espinoza, the loving 
son of Gabriel and Sylvia Espinoza, and the beloved brother of 
Gabriel Espinoza, Jr., was born, bringing immeasurable joy and love 
to his family and friends; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Espinoza was a credit to himself, his family, 
and his state, becoming an accomplished student, athlete, and 
musician, with a tremendous future awaiting him at the young age of 
18 years; and
	WHEREAS, Having signed up for patriotic service in the United 
States Navy, Mr. Espinoza was going to put his talents and skills 
into action helping defend his beloved country and promoting the 
ideals of freedom worldwide; and
	WHEREAS, In what can only be characterized as inspiration 
from God, he surprised his family one evening when he told them that 
in the event of his death, they should donate his organs so others 
would be spared terrible suffering and death; and
	WHEREAS, His mother clearly recalled his words that evening:  
"We were watching a health channel, and a commercial came on about 
organ donations, and we asked him what he thought," she said.  "He 
told us, 'I won't need my organs when I go, but if I can help someone 
else and give them a second chance, that's what I want.  Besides, 
right now I am already donating blood'"; and
	WHEREAS, Many people in Texas and across the nation are 
desperate for organ donations, but too few people become donors, 
and it is remarkable that a young man just about to enter the prime 
of his life would consider becoming an organ donor; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Espinoza's love for his fellow man and woman 
would profoundly manifest itself a few weeks later, when in the 
spring of 2003, he died in an automobile accident in which he was a 
passenger, bringing an incalculable loss to his family and many 
friends; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Espinoza's selflessness, generosity, and 
courage were reflected by his parents and brother, who under the 
most traumatic conditions, made the decision to honor his desire to 
be an organ donor; and
	WHEREAS, Immediately following his passing, his kidneys, 
heart, liver, and lungs were recovered, thus bringing life and 
eliminating terrible suffering for five people, including several 
Texans and their families, whom he never met, but who will never 
forget him and his family; and
	WHEREAS, So unique was this fine young man's wish that he was 
only one of 18 donors that year in the Rio Grande Valley, a 
metroplex with more than one million residents; now, therefore, be 
it
	RESOLVED, That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby honor the life of Jeramie Espinoza and extend sincere 
sympathy to the members of his family:  to his parents, Gabriel 
Espinoza, Sr., and Sylvia Espinoza, and to his brother, Gabriel 
Espinoza, Jr.; and to his many other relatives and friends; and, be 
it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of 
Jeramie Espinoza.