TITLE: Congratulating Dr. Joseph Ernest Torres of El Paso on his 92nd birthday.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Dr. Joseph Ernest Torres of El Paso on his 92nd birthday.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The 92nd birthday of an esteemed Texan is truly cause for celebration, and Dr. Joseph Ernest Torres of El Paso reached that impressive milestone on April 11, 2015; and WHEREAS, Born in El Paso in 1923, Dr. Torres graduated from El Paso High School in 1941 and attended the Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy before going to work as a recruiting agent with Southern Pacific Railroad and as a trainee marine machinist in Oakland, California; and WHEREAS, Dr. Torres answered his nation's call to duty during World War II and served as an infantryman in the United States Army and as a B-17 bombardier and navigator in the U.S. Army Air Forces; he flew 13 combat missions over Germany, and after the war, he served in the reserves at the rank of lieutenant until 1947; and WHEREAS, Following his military service, Dr. Torres resumed his education at the College of Mines and Metallurgy, receiving his bachelor's degree in 1948, and he went on to earn his dental degree at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1952; in the late 1950s, he returned to the Air Force Dental Reserves, attaining the rank of colonel; and WHEREAS, Dr. Torres has been in private practice as a dental surgeon in El Paso for many years, and he continues to work today; a leader in his profession, he has served as chair of the El Paso District Dental Society and the West Texas Dental Society and as an advisor to the El Paso Community College Dental Assistants Training program; and WHEREAS, This caring and energetic gentleman has also devoted much of his time and energy to giving back to his community, serving on the board of St. Margaret's Children's Home and as a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Kiwanis Club; and WHEREAS, Dr. Torres has remained proud of his military service, and he is an honorary member of the 82nd Airborne Association, which presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation for Meritorious and Exemplary Performance in Support of International Freedom and Peace; a cofounder of the Legacy of Valor organization and a leader in the effort to create a Vietnam Veterans memorial in El Paso, he has also served as vice commander of the Paso del Norte chapter of the American GI Forum; and WHEREAS, For more than nine decades, Dr. Joseph Torres has lived an exemplary life dedicated to the service of his nation and his community, and he is a source of inspiration and wisdom to all those who are privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. Joseph Ernest Torres on his 92nd birthday and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Dr. Torres as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Blanco Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2542 was adopted by the House on May 21, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House