SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 725
         WHEREAS, The descendants of Gregorio and Ana Esparza are
  gathering in Floresville on July 13, 2019, for their much
  anticipated family reunion; and
         WHEREAS, Gregorio Esparza was one of the last Alamo
  defenders to join the garrison during the Texas Revolution,
  contributing to the cause as Juan Seguín's best gunner and a
  small artillery expert; he was slain in battle while manning a
  cannon at the back of the chapel, but his wife, Ana Salazar de
  Esparza, and their children, Maria de Jesus Castro and Enrique,
  Manuel, and Francisco Esparza, were among the few to survive; and
         WHEREAS, Following the Texans' defeat, Ms. Esparza and her
  husband's brother, Francisco, who served as a soldier in the
  Mexican Army under General Cos, obtained permission to bury
  Gregorio Esparza's body; he was the only defender of the garrison
  allowed Christian burial rites; and
         WHEREAS, Decades passed, and in the 1860s, the Esparzas'
  three sons received preemptive claims in Atascosa County, where
  they settled with their families to farm and ranch; Enrique
  Esparza and his wife, Gertrudes Hernandez Esparza, deeded five
  acres of their land to the Catholic Diocese and were
  instrumental in establishing the county's first Catholic church
  and school; and
         WHEREAS, Over the years, the descendants of Gregorio and
  Ana Esparza have come together to share in one another's company
  and to celebrate the rich heritage that has united them for
  generations, and it is indeed a pleasure to recognize this
  special occasion; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
  Legislature, hereby commemorate the sixth Gregorio and Ana
  Esparza Family Reunion and extend to all those in attendance
  sincere best wishes for a memorable and enjoyable event; and, be
  it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
  prepared for the family as an expression of high regard by the
  Texas Senate.
 
  Flores
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on May 9, 2019.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate