H.R. No. 1603
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Brazoria County lost an iconic restaurateur with the
  passing of Joe Vincent Saladino of Friendswood on April 25, 2023, at
  the age of 75; and
         WHEREAS, The son of Mary and Sam Saladino, Joe Saladino was
  born in Houston on March 2, 1948; he learned the value of hard work
  by rising early to help his father and grandfather prepare barbeque
  for the family restaurant; after graduating from Mount Carmel High
  School, he served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War; he
  realized his dream of opening his own restaurant in 1976; Joe's
  Barbeque in Manvel had just four tables and three employees, but it
  caught on quickly, and six years later, Mr. Saladino launched
  another location in Alvin; in 1999, he added Joe's Banquet Center to
  host family celebrations and meetings; his catering operation grew
  large enough to serve major corporate clients and groups numbering
  in the tens of thousands; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Saladino adapted swiftly to the upheaval of the
  COVID-19 pandemic; he continued to employ approximately 100 people,
  including many who had worked for him for decades; he was also
  renowned for stepping forward to assist in the wake of severe storms
  and emergency situations, keeping the restaurant open to feed first
  responders and others, and he never charged police and fire
  department personnel in uniform for their meals; a mentor to
  countless youngsters, he was always ready to support local schools
  as well as his church and various community organizations and never
  sought credit for his generosity; warm and friendly, he enjoyed
  spending lunchtime laughing and conversing with customers at his
  favorite table; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Saladino was deeply devoted to his family; he
  shared a fulfilling relationship of 52 years with his wife,
  Beverly, and he took great pride in his four children, seven
  grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren; and
         WHEREAS, Joe Saladino lived a rich and purposeful life
  centered around his family, his business, and his community, and he
  will be remembered with great admiration and affection by all who
  were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Joe Vincent
  Saladino and extend sincere condolences to the members of his
  family: to his wife, Beverly Saladino; to his children, Joe
  Saladino Jr. and his wife, Kacey, Sarah Barham and her husband,
  Duane, Jennifer Parker and her husband, Mike, and Wesley Saladino
  and his wife, Erin; to his grandchildren, Kate Saladino, Jordan Wat
  and her husband, Nicholas, Nicholas Taylor, Whitney Barham, Sam
  Barham, Dawson Parker, and Landon Parker; to his
  great-grandchildren, Henry and Hudson Wat; to his brother, Michael
  Saladino, and his wife, Ginger; and to his other relatives and many
  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
  Saladino.
 
  Thompson of Brazoria
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 1603 was unanimously adopted by a
  rising vote of the House on May 19, 2023.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House