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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The passing of Starr County commissioner Abel Noe |
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Gonzalez, Jr., on September 14, 2011, at the age of 61, brought a |
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great loss to the loved ones and fellow citizens of this respected |
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public servant; and |
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WHEREAS, Born on July 2, 1950, to Abel N. and Maria Elia |
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Gonzalez, Abel Gonzalez was the oldest of five children; he |
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graduated from Rio Grande City High School in 1968 and went on to |
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earn a bachelor's degree in animal science from Texas A&M |
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University in 1972; and |
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WHEREAS, The following year, he exchanged wedding vows with |
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his high school sweetheart, the former Aida Graciela Pena; the |
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couple shared a rewarding marriage that spanned nearly four |
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decades, and they became the parents of four children, Melinda, |
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Abel, Jorge, and Marta; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Gonzalez enjoyed a successful business career |
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in Rio Grande City, where he worked for the Mobil and Shamrock oil |
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companies and also operated the family ranch, El Macho; at the time |
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of his passing, he had been the commissioner for Precinct 4 of Starr |
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County for more than a decade and a half, and he was widely admired |
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by his colleagues and constituents for his vital contributions to |
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improving services and infrastructure in the area; among the |
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projects that he championed were the establishment of a food pantry |
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that serves hundreds of Rio Grande City residents and the creation |
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of a satellite fire station; moreover, he played a central role in |
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planning a community center for the San Ysidro colonia; and |
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WHEREAS, Before joining the county commissioners court, |
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Mr. Gonzalez served for 12 years on the board of the Rio Grande City |
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Consolidated Independent School District and was elected to several |
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terms as board president; he was a director for the Starr County |
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Industrial Foundation as well, and he was instrumental in |
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developing an industrial park to house manufacturing and warehouse |
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facilities; and |
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WHEREAS, An enthusiastic supporter of local athletic teams, |
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Mr. Gonzalez spent countless Friday nights cheering the gridiron |
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achievements of his sons, whom he first watched play the game and |
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later coach it; he delighted in hosting family gatherings at his |
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home and ranch, as those occasions allowed him to spend time with |
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his children and grandchildren while discussing his favorite |
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topics, football and family; and |
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WHEREAS, Abel Gonzalez selflessly dedicated himself to the |
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community he loved, and the legacy of good works that he leaves |
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behind will continue to have a positive influence in the lives of |
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area residents for many years to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory |
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of Abel Noe Gonzalez, Jr., and extend sincere sympathy to all those |
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who mourn his passing; and, be it further |
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R |
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ESOLVED, 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 Abel Noe |
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Gonzalez, Jr. |
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Guillen |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 151 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the House on July 29, 2013. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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