79R17543 MW-D

By:  Pena                                                         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.