H.R. No. 1886


R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A loving family and good friends are deeply saddened by the death of Canuto Garcia, Jr., of Edinburg, who passed away on May 6, 2005, at the age of 79; and WHEREAS, Born in Falfurrias, Mr. Garcia served with valor in the United States Army Air Force during World War II; a bottom turret gunner in a B-17 Flying Fortress of the 447th Bomber Group in England, he was twice shot down over Germany; he was captured in April 1945 by the Germans, declared missing in action, and was a prisoner of war until he was liberated in May 1945; for his distinguished service, he received the Purple Heart, Air Medal, European Theatre of Operations Ribbon with two Battle Stars, and the Good Conduct Medal; and WHEREAS, After returning home, Mr. Garcia married his high school sweetheart, Elida Benavidez, and worked as a private pilot and attended Edinburg Junior College; he was a banker for 20 years and became a partner with the Garcia Longoria Cattle Company and the owner/operator of Pan American Transportation, a nationwide transportation company; and WHEREAS, This esteemed gentleman, who loved hunting and ranching, was a devoted husband and family man and cherished friend to many, and he will not soon be forgotten; and WHEREAS, Representative Aaron Pena has honored the life of Canuto Garcia, Jr., by passing this resolution in his memory during the 79th Texas Legislative Session; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Canuto Garcia, Jr., and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his two sons, Mayor Richard Garcia and his wife, Peggy, and Bob Garcia and his wife, Cris; to his daughter, Dahlia Guerra and her husband, Arnulfo; to his eight grandchildren and one great-grandson; to his four sisters, Elodia Lopez, Raquel Balderas and her husband, Alfredo, Elizabeth Ramos and her husband, Ismael, and Esther Garcia; and to his 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 adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Canuto Garcia, Jr. Pena ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1886 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 27, 2005. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House