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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The city of El Paso lost an esteemed community |
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leader with the passing of Dr. Joseph Ernest Torres on February 5, |
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2017, at the age of 93; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in El Paso in 1923, Joseph Torres graduated |
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from El Paso High School in 1941 and attended the Texas College of |
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Mines and Metallurgy; he later worked as a recruiting agent with |
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Southern Pacific Railroad and as a trainee marine machinist in |
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Oakland, California; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1942, during World War II, Dr. Torres enlisted in |
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the U.S. Army Air Corps, and he served as an infantryman before |
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becoming a B-17 bombardier and navigator, flying 13 bombing |
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missions over Germany; in 1945, he began a two-year stint as a |
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lieutenant in the Army Air Corps Reserve; and |
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WHEREAS, After returning to civilian life, Dr. Torres |
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graduated with a bachelor's degree from CMM in 1948 and |
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subsequently earned his dental degree from Creighton University in |
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1952; he went on to serve in the Air Force Dental Reserve, attaining |
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the rank of colonel, before opening his own private practice as a |
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dental surgeon in El Paso; over the years, he contributed to his |
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profession as chair of the El Paso District Dental Society and the |
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West Texas Dental Society and as an advisor to the El Paso Community |
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College Dental Assistants Training program; and |
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WHEREAS, This proud veteran remained dedicated to his |
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comrades in arms long after his military service; he was a cofounder |
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of the Legacy of Valor and Vietnam Veterans Memorial organizations |
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and served as vice commander of the local chapter of the American GI |
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Forum; in recognition of his outstanding efforts, he was named an |
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honorary member of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, which |
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presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation for Meritorious |
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and Exemplary Performance in Support of International Freedom and |
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Peace; and |
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WHEREAS, Joseph Torres fought courageously in defense of his |
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nation and then returned to Texas to serve his community with equal |
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commitment, and he will long be remembered with great admiration |
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and affection by all who had the good fortune to know him; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Joseph Ernest |
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Torres and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn his passing; |
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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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Torres. |