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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The life of a Texas football legend drew to a close |
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with the passing of René Javier Ramirez of McAllen on June 20, 2023, |
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at the age of 85; and |
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WHEREAS, Born on July 11, 1937, in Hebbronville, René Ramirez |
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was the son of Dora and Tomas Ramirez and grew up with the |
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companionship of three brothers, Hector, Tomas, and Gregorio; he |
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first gained acclaim at Hebbronville High School, where he |
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graduated as valedictorian and lettered in football, baseball, |
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basketball, band, and track and field; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Ramirez went on to attend The University of |
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Texas at Austin and earn a bachelor's degree in mechanical |
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engineering; nicknamed the Galloping Gaucho for his tremendous |
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speed as a runner, he was a standout halfback on the Longhorn |
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football team, leading the team in touchdowns in 1957 and tying for |
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the lead in 1958; during his three seasons on the gridiron, he was a |
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gifted two-way player and recorded four interceptions, and in 1959, |
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he was an All-Southwest Conference selection; among his many |
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accolades, he is a member of the Hebbronville High School Hall of |
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Fame, the Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame, the |
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National Hispanic Sports Hall of Fame, and the Rusk Athletic Club |
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Hall of Fame in Houston, and in 2013, he was inducted into the Texas |
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Athletics Hall of Honor; and |
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WHEREAS, Following his collegiate football career, |
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Mr. Ramirez found success selling insurance with American |
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Amicable, working as an engineer for Mobil Oil, and owning several |
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businesses; in August 2013, he retired from the Texas General Land |
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Office as an appraiser; in addition, he founded the René Ramirez |
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Youth Development Camp to help underprivileged children in East |
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Austin, and he gave motivational speeches at schools; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Ramirez shared 28 years with his first wife, the |
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former Jo Marie Hill; fortunate to find love again, he wed Becky |
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Ramirez, and the couple enjoyed 34 years together; he took great |
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pride in his 9 children, Teresa, Eric, Celeste, Alan, Rene, Carlos, |
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Jo Rikki, Adrian, and Emmanuel, and with the passing years, his |
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family grew to include 11 grandchildren, Rene Elic, Riana, Roxanne, |
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Miranda, Andres, Gabrielle, Mariana, Alan, Xavier, Eliamar, and |
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Ezra, and 10 great-grandchildren, Mia, Beau, Gael, Atlas, Whitt, |
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Ava, Mila, Ocean, Luka, and Britten; and |
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WHEREAS, An engaged citizen, a devoted family man, and a |
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consummate Longhorn, René Ramirez leaves behind a legacy that will |
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long be remembered by all those who knew and loved him; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of |
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René Javier Ramirez and extend sincere condolences to his loved |
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ones; 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 René |
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Ramirez. |