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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The residents of Del Rio lost an admired public |
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servant and community leader with the passing of the Honorable |
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Joseph Michael Gonzalez, justice of the peace of Precinct 2, on |
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August 16, 2013, at the age of 67; and |
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WHEREAS, Born on October 29, 1945, in Centerline, Michigan, |
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Joey Gonzalez was the son of Amalia Gonzalez Forehand, his birth |
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mother, and County Judge Sergio Gonzalez Jr. and Ninfa R. Gonzalez; |
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he graduated from Mount Sacred Heart Military Academy in San |
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Antonio and went on to attend St. Anthony's Seminary School; and |
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WHEREAS, Judge Gonzalez spent most of his professional life |
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as a railroad conductor, first for Southern Pacific and later for |
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Union Pacific, and he retired after 34 years of service; in 2002, he |
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purchased Meme's Kleen Kitchen restaurant, a local favorite for |
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more than 50 years, and made it his goal to ensure that every |
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customer who entered the family-run business left with a smile; and |
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WHEREAS, For a decade, this esteemed gentleman further |
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distinguished himself as the justice of the peace of Precinct 2, and |
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he was also involved with many civic organizations, underscoring |
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his commitment to the community; he helped coordinate Career |
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Awareness Day for the public schools and Sacred Heart Catholic |
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School, and he volunteered with the area MLK march, the youth |
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football and cheer teams, and local veterans; additionally, he was |
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the first Mexican American union president for Union Pacific, and |
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he was active with the Knights of Columbus, among other groups; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Judge Gonzalez enjoyed the |
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love and support of his wife of 45 years, Martha; he delighted in |
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spending time with his children and grandchildren, and he was a |
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valued, lifelong member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church; and |
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WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to his family and his community, |
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Joseph Michael Gonzalez made a meaningful difference in the lives |
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of his loved ones and fellow citizens alike, and he will be fondly |
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remembered for years to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Honorable |
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Joseph Michael Gonzalez and extend heartfelt sympathy to the |
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members of his family: to his wife, Martha Ziegler Gonzalez; to his |
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biological mother, Amalia Gonzalez Forehand; to his children, |
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Carolina Gonzalez Ortiz, Jose Sergio Gonzalez, Azalea Gonzalez, |
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Sebastian Seth Gonzalez, Sandra Moncada, Joey Gonzalez, and Maria |
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Cecilia Gonzalez; to his grandchildren, Mia Lizette, Zoey Olivia, |
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and Eliseo Adan Ortiz, and Joey and Riley Gonzalez; to his sisters, |
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Jennie Owens and Rosie Phillips; to his brother, Oscar Gonzalez; |
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and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Joseph |
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Michael Gonzalez. |