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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, All who shared in the life of John R. Gonzales of |
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Manor were deeply saddened by his death on June 26, 2025, at the age |
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of 73; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Austin on January 19, 1952, to Bernardo and |
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Leonor Gonzales, Johnny Gonzales grew up with five siblings, Mary, |
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Eloise, Benny, Albert, and David; he graduated from A. S. Johnston |
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High School and went on to attend St. Edward's University; later in |
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life, he retired from the Office of the Attorney General and worked |
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at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission; and |
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WHEREAS, A talented musician from a young age, Mr. Gonzales |
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was a skilled vocalist and played multiple instruments, including |
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guitar, saxophone, trumpet, and piano; excelling in such genres as |
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rock and roll, blues, R&B, jazz, Tejano, and mariachi, he played |
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alongside Stevie Ray Vaughan, Selena, Flaco Jimenez, Pinetop |
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Perkins, Vicente Fernandez, and numerous other acclaimed artists; |
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in the 1960s, his band, Johnny Gonzales and the Sensations, played |
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at campaign fundraisers for several prominent local and national |
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politicians, and in 1969, the group was the first band to perform at |
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the Austin Aqua Festival Mexican American theme night; he played |
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with Ruben Ramos the following decade, and in 1980, he was among the |
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artists to participate in the taping of Raul Velasco's "Siempre en |
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Domingo" at the State Capitol; he brought back his band in 1988, |
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renamed Johnny Gonzales & New Sensations, and continued to compose |
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original work and play gigs around the city; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Gonzales benefited from |
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the love and support of his wife of 36 years, Cindy; he was the proud |
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father of two sons, John Albert and John, and throughout his life, |
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he drew great strength from his Catholic faith; always the life of |
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the party, he regaled everyone around him with his sense of humor |
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and his entertaining stories; he was also an avid sports fan and |
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cheered on the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Longhorns; and |
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WHEREAS, Although Johnny Gonzales is greatly missed, his |
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loved ones will forever cherish their memories of his kindness, his |
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exceptional musical ability, and his devotion to his faith and his |
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family; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of |
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John R. Gonzales and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn |
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his 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 Johnny |
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Gonzales. |
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Flores |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 155 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the House on September 3, 2025. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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