79R10893 BJM-D

By:  Castro                                                       H.R. No. 878



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Friends and family of the late Ernani C. Falcone are 
gathering on March 30, 2005, to commemorate the dedication of Nani 
Falcone Community Park in San Antonio; and
	WHEREAS, Born in Philadelphia in 1928, Mr. Falcone attended 
Princeton University and served with the U.S. Army in Europe during 
the Korean War; he retired from the Army Reserve in 1982 with the 
rank of colonel; for more than 30 years, he taught high school 
social studies in Pennsylvania and played a vital role in the 
Democratic Party there; and
	WHEREAS, After moving to his wife's home state of Texas in the 
late 1980s, he remained active in community service and politics:  a 
champion of grassroots efforts, he founded and chaired the 
Northwest Neighborhood Alliance and served as president of the 
Braun Station West Community Improvement Association; he was a 
valued advisor to Mayor Ed Garza and lent his expertise to the 
Zoning Commission and a technical advisory committee that monitored 
revisions of the city's Unified Development Code; he also gave of 
his time to such notable organizations as Amnesty International and 
Habitat for Humanity; and
	WHEREAS, Fluent in five languages and an active member of the 
Sons of Italy, this admirable gentleman served as a recruiter for 
his alma mater and helped more than 700 students gain acceptance to 
Princeton, including many young Hispanics, whose educational 
opportunities he championed; and
	WHEREAS, In addition, Mr. Falcone was a tireless advocate for 
the preservation of greenbelts and historic trees and funding for 
city parks, and it is particularly fitting that a community park be 
named in his honor; and
	WHEREAS, Although the people of San Antonio lost a committed 
citizen and a beloved friend with the death of Nani Falcone on May 
13, 2002, Nani Falcone Park will serve as a lasting reminder of the 
generosity and dedication of this esteemed civic leader; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay special tribute to the life of Ernani C. 
Falcone on the occasion of the dedication of Nani Falcone Community 
Park and that this adopted son of Texas be remembered for his many 
invaluable contributions; 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 adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Ernani C. 
Falcone.