SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 222
	In Memory
	of
	Joe Bernal
	WHEREAS, Former state senator and representative Joe J.
	Bernal of San Antonio passed away on January 25, 2025, at the age
	of 97, bringing a great loss to his family, his friends, and his
	community; and
	WHEREAS, The son of Jose and Antonia Bernal, Joe Bernal was
	born in San Antonio on March 1, 1927, and he grew up with the
	companionship of eight siblings; after graduating from Lanier
	High School in 1944, he joined the U.S. Army and served with the
	Headquarters Squadron, Pacific Air Command, in Manila and Tokyo
	during World War II; he attained the rank of sergeant before
	receiving his honorable discharge at the age of 19; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Bernal earned a bachelor's degree in
	sociology from Trinity University, and he began his career as
	an educator with the Kosciusko Independent School District; he
	went on to teach at elementary schools in Edgewood ISD and San
	Antonio ISD and to obtain a master's degree in education with a
	minor in social work from Our Lady of the Lake College; along
	the way, he was employed as a social worker at the Inman
	Christian Center for several years; he later received a
	doctorate in cultural foundations in education from The
	University of Texas at Austin; and
	WHEREAS, A passionate advocate for education and civil
	rights, Mr. Bernal successfully ran for a seat in the Texas House
	of Representatives in 1964; he was subsequently elected state
	senator by the people of Bexar County and began the first of two
	consecutive terms in the Texas Senate in January 1967; over the
	course of his tenure as a legislator, he championed bilingual
	education and the end of de jure segregation, and in 1969, he
	overcame fierce opposition to secure passage of the state's first
	bilingual education act; he also played an instrumental role in
	establishing UT San Antonio and the UT Health Science Center, and
	he helped to build a strong foundation for early childhood
	education in Texas; among numerous committee assignments, he
	served as chair of the Senate Committees on Poverty in Texas,
	Claims, and Federal Programs and Relations; he further
	distinguished himself as the first executive director of the
	Mexican American Legislative Caucus; and
	WHEREAS, While carrying out his duties as a lawmaker,
	Senator Bernal was employed as executive director for the
	Guadalupe Community Center and then for the Commission for
	Mexican American Affairs; an avid supporter of the Mexican
	American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, he became a founding
	member of the organization's board in 1968, holding that role for
	10 years; in 1971, he served as the lead plaintiff in White v.
	Regester, a successful challenge to Texas' 1970 congressional
	redistricting plans; and
	WHEREAS, After concluding his service in the Texas
	Legislature in 1973, Senator Bernal became an educational
	researcher for the Intercultural Development Research Association
	as well as a regional director for ACTION, a federal agency that
	coordinated volunteer opportunities; beginning in 1982, he served
	as principal of Emma Frey Elementary School in Edgewood ISD for
	five years, and he subsequently accepted a position as assistant
	superintendent for instructional services in Harlandale ISD; and
	WHEREAS, Senator Bernal was elected to the State Board of
	Education in 1996, and over the next decade, he continued his
	efforts to advocate for bilingual education; he worked
	tirelessly to provide classrooms with Spanish-language textbooks
	and to have the elementary curriculum translated into Spanish,
	and he supported the addition of mariachi band competitions to
	the University Interscholastic League; twice reelected to the
	board, he served as its vice chair from 2001 to 2003 and chaired
	the committee on instruction; and
	WHEREAS, Among his many accolades, Senator Bernal was
	recognized with the Inspire Award from the SAISD Foundation in
	2013, and he and his wife, fellow educator Mary Esther Bernal,
	received the Lifetime Achievement Award from MALDEF in 2009; in
	2014, Northside ISD named Bernal Middle School in his honor; and
	WHEREAS, Above all else, Senator Bernal was devoted to his
	family; he and his wife shared a rewarding marriage of six and a
	half decades before her passing, and he took great pride in their
	four children, Richard, Patrick, Rebecca, and the late Barney
	Bernal; over the years, he was further blessed with eight
	grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and
	WHEREAS, Joe Bernal made a lasting, positive difference in
	the lives of countless Texans through his exceptional
	contributions as a public servant, and those who were fortunate
	enough to know him will forever treasure their memories of his
	generosity, his strength of character, and his love for his
	family and community; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th
	Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Joe
	J. Bernal and extend heartfelt sympathy to his 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 Senate adjourns
	this day, it do so in memory of Joe Bernal.
	Menéndez
	Alvarado Hagenbuch Middleton
	Bettencourt Hall Miles
	Birdwell Hancock Nichols
	Blanco Hinojosa of Hidalgo Parker
	Campbell Hinojosa of Nueces Paxton
	Cook Huffman Perry
	Creighton Hughes Schwertner
	Eckhardt Johnson Sparks
	Flores King West
	Gutierrez Kolkhorst Zaffirini
	Patrick, President of the Senate
		________________________________
		President of the Senate
		I hereby certify that the
		above Resolution was adopted by
		the Senate on June 1, 2025, by a
		rising vote.
		________________________________
		Secretary of the Senate
		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate