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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Honorable Charlie Gonzalez of San Antonio |
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concluded his tenure in the United States House of Representatives |
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in January 2013, having served constituents in the 20th |
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Congressional District with great distinction for seven terms; and |
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WHEREAS, First elected to the U.S. house in 1998, Congressman |
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Gonzalez succeeded his father, Henry B. Gonzalez, who held the seat |
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for more than three decades; Charlie Gonzalez rose quickly through |
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the ranks to become one of the Democratic Party's most eloquent |
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spokesmen, particularly on judicial matters, civil rights, |
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education, and minority affairs; and |
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WHEREAS, Congressman Gonzalez worked tirelessly in behalf of |
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a cleaner environment, Wall Street reform, and more accessible |
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health care for Texans; as chair of the Congressional Hispanic |
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Caucus, he advocated for the growing Latino community and sought to |
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address comprehensive immigration reform and issues that |
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disproportionately affected members of the working class; he served |
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on a host of committees, including the House Energy and Commerce |
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Committee, a panel with oversight of telecommunications, oil, gas, |
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and refining; and |
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WHEREAS, With an extensive background in the judiciary, |
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Congressman Gonzalez demonstrated an unyielding commitment to |
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diversity in federal courts; he championed participation by all |
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Americans in the 2000 census, and he was subsequently named |
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co-chair of the Democratic Caucus Census Task Force; in addition, |
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he co-chaired the Democratic Caucus Special Committee on Election |
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Reform and the Democratic National Committee's Voting Rights |
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Institute, an initiative to ensure that elections at all levels are |
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conducted in compliance with civil rights, voting rights, and |
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election laws; and |
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WHEREAS, This dynamic San Antonio native was a technical |
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sergeant in the Texas Air National Guard from 1969 to 1975, and he |
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briefly taught fifth grade before embarking on a legal career; for |
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10 years, he was in private practice, and he then became a municipal |
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court judge and county court at law judge before winning election to |
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the district court; he served as a state district court judge from |
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1989 to 1997, and updating courtroom procedures and working to |
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reduce the growing backlog of domestic violence cases are among his |
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achievements in that role; and |
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WHEREAS, Through his vision, dedication, and exceptional |
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leadership in Congress, Charlie Gonzalez has contributed |
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immeasurably to the betterment of his community, his state, and his |
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nation, and as he embarks on the next exciting chapter of his life, |
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it is indeed fitting to commend him for his noteworthy public |
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service; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby congratulate the Honorable Charlie Gonzalez on his |
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retirement from the United States House of Representatives and |
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extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success in his |
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endeavors; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Congressman Gonzalez as an expression of high regard |
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by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate. |
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Martinez Fischer |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.C.R. No. 125 was adopted by the House on May |
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17, 2013, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.C.R. No. 125 was adopted by the Senate on May |
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21, 2013, by a viva-voce vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: __________________ |
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Date |
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__________________ |
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Governor |