Bill Text: TX HR17 | 2021 | 87th Legislature 1st Special Session | Introduced

Texas House Resolution 17 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: In memory of Joseph LaMantia Jr. of McAllen.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-07-09 - Filed [HR17 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HR17-Introduced.html

	87S10731 JGH-D

	By: Guillen	H.R. No. 17



	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the
	death of Joseph LaMantia Jr. of McAllen on June 14, 2021, at the age
	of 88; and
	WHEREAS, Joe LaMantia was born to Joseph and Verna LaMantia
	in 1933, and he grew up in South Texas with five sisters, Marie,
	Ann, Shirley, Verna, and Joan; his family settled in the Rio Grande
	Valley in 1965, and in 1977 Mr. LaMantia started L&F Distributors,
	a wholesale beer distribution company which has since grown to
	encompass seven locations with nearly 1,100 employees serving 53
	counties across the Lone Star State; and
	WHEREAS, A longtime champion of education, Mr. LaMantia
	established one of the first scholarships for women athletes at The
	University of Texas-Pan American, and the scholarship was named for
	his first wife, Ann LaMantia, who passed away in 1983; in addition,
	L&F Distributors raised more than $5 million over eight years for
	the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and in 2002 he established the Stars
	Scholarship Fund, which has disbursed over $35 million to more than
	17,000 students in South and West Texas; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. LaMantia served on the board of the Texas
	Department of Corrections for 15 years, and he was an active
	supporter of the Rio Grande Cancer Treatment Research Foundation,
	the American Heart Association, the South Texas Communities for
	Youth Service, and the Special Olympics, among many other
	worthwhile organizations; he was recognized as Border Texan of the
	Year and as a Distinguished Citizen by the Boy Scouts of America Rio
	Grande Council, and his numerous other honors include the Citizen
	of the Year award from The University of Texas Health Science Center
	at San Antonio, the Bridge Builder Award from UTPA, and the Golden
	Eagle Award from the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of
	Commerce; and
	WHEREAS, Following the death of his first wife, Mr. LaMantia
	went on to share a rewarding marriage with Derrelene LaMantia that
	spanned 36 years; he was a devoted father to his children, Val, Joe,
	Greg, Steve, and Tony, and his stepchildren, Jennifer and Lori, and
	he was eventually blessed with many grandchildren and
	great-grandchildren; and
	WHEREAS, A leader in his community, a successful
	entrepreneur, and a generous philanthropist, Joe LaMantia leaves
	behind a record of service that will continue to inspire all those
	who were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
	Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory
	of Joseph LaMantia Jr. and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family
	and his 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
	LaMantia.