87S20196 CJM-D
 
  By: Martinez H.R. No. 55
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the
  passing of Joel A. Garza of Weslaco on June 21, 2021, at the age of
  84; and
         WHEREAS, Born in Weslaco on April 18, 1937, Joe Garza was the
  son of Victor and Josefa Martinez Garza, and he grew up with the
  companionship of four siblings, Humberto, Maria, Nora, and Victor;
  in 1956, he graduated from Weslaco High School, where he played
  running back and helped the Panther football team advance to the
  state semifinals in 1955; he later attended St. Mary's University
  while serving with the Texas National Guard; and
         WHEREAS, Following his honorable discharge in 1962,
  Mr. Garza began his career in social work with the Texas Department
  of Public Welfare; he served as an administrator for government
  assistance programs and retired in 1990 as a program director with
  the Texas Department of Human Services; dedicated to his community,
  he gave generously of his time and talents to numerous
  organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, the Boy Scouts of
  America, the American Cancer Society, and Valley Interfaith; in
  addition, he was active in city politics and was instrumental in
  Weslaco adopting single-member districts; he was also passionate
  about agriculture, and he farmed various crops in the United States
  and Mexico, growing all of his produce organically; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Garza married the former Maria Evangelina
  Hinojosa in September 1961, and the couple shared a rewarding union
  that spanned nearly six decades; he was the proud father of 6
  children, Cynthia, Melinda, Jaime, Judith, Angela, and Joel, and
  over the years, he was further blessed with 17 grandchildren; and
         WHEREAS, Joe Garza possessed a generosity of spirit that
  expressed itself in myriad ways, and he enriched the lives of
  countless people with his warmth and kindness; now, therefore, be
  it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
  Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory
  of Joel A. Garza and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his
  family: to his wife, Evangelina Garza; to his children, Cynthia
  Cardenas and her husband, Gilbert, Melinda Garza and her husband,
  Bernie, Jaime Garza and his wife, Terri, Judith Blas and her
  husband, Jesse, Angela Cantu and her husband, Robert, and Joel
  Garza and his wife, Lindsey; to his brother, Victor Garza and his
  wife, Elva; to his brother-in-law, Claudio Perez; to his
  grandchildren; 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 Joe Garza.