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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Dr. Ben Leonel Garza, an esteemed member of the |
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Edinburg community and a dear friend to many, passed away on |
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February 5, 2021, at the age of 82; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Mercedes on January 17, 1939, to Leoncio and |
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Nellie Chapa Garza, Ben Garza grew up with nine brothers and |
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sisters; after graduating from The University of Texas College of |
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Pharmacy in 1961, he managed his family's drug store in McAllen and |
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subsequently went on to attend medical school at the UT Medical |
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Branch at Galveston; during his 45-year career as a physician, he |
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practiced at the Edinburg Regional Medical Center alongside four of |
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his brothers; and |
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WHEREAS, An avid sports fan, Dr. Garza was the longtime |
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doctor for athletic teams at UT-Pan American and the Edinburg |
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school district; he was recognized on many occasions for his |
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outstanding work with these programs, receiving such accolades as |
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the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame Distinguished Service |
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Award in 2009, induction into the UTPA Athletics Hall of Honor in |
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2010, and the UTPA Broncs Leadership Award in 2015; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to serving as an Edinburg school board |
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trustee, Dr. Garza held prominent leadership roles in the Texas |
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Jaycees, the American Cancer Society, and American Humanics, and he |
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was a Hidalgo County health officer and a member of the Edinburg |
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Urban Renewal Board; he also had the distinction of serving on the |
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Governor's Advisory Board for Juvenile Justice and Crime |
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Prevention, as well as the State Bar of Texas Commission for Lawyer |
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Discipline; moreover, he was a retired 20-year veteran of the Texas |
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National Guard, and he volunteered his time in various capacities |
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with the Boy Scouts of America; the honors he received for his |
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service included the American Heart Association Heart of Gold Award |
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in 2000 and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce General Physician of |
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the Year Award in 2008; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Dr. Garza enjoyed the love and |
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support of his wife of 32 years, Patty Garza; he was the proud |
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father of seven children, Loretta, Veronica, Brooke, Brennan, Ben, |
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Steven, and Cesar, and he was further blessed with eight |
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grandchildren, Tucker, Olivia, Lauren, Hailey, Lily, Leslie, Gabi, |
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and Ava; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. Ben Garza lived a life that was extraordinarily |
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rich in personal and professional accomplishments, and those who |
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knew and loved him will forever find inspiration in his admirable |
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legacy; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Dr. Ben Leonel |
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Garza and extend deepest sympathy to all those who mourn his |
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passing; 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 Dr. Ben |
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Garza. |