TITLE: In memory of Jose Maria Longoria Sr. of Starr County.

SUMMARY: In memory of Jose Maria Longoria Sr. of Starr County.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Family and friends will forever carry with them the memory of Jose Maria Longoria Sr., a prominent Starr County educator and public servant, who passed away on May 2, 1980, at the age of 73; and WHEREAS, Born on June 20, 1906, and raised in La Grulla, Jose Longoria was the son of Tristan and Guadalupe C. Longoria, who instilled in him the importance of education from an early age; he went on to be named the salutatorian at San Diego High School in 1925, and he subsequently graduated with honors from Texas A&I University in 1933; he and both of his siblings, Guadalupe and Roberto, attended college at a time when few minorities were enrolled; and WHEREAS, During World War II, Mr. Longoria enlisted in the U.S. armed forces and became an army instructor in 1944; he had previously taught Spanish at Texas A&I University, and upon returning from military service, he resumed his career as an educator in the San Isidro and Brownsville school districts; after working as an editor for the Starr County Democrat for two years, he took over as owner and manager of Valley Distributing Company, operating the business from 1938 to 1974; along the way, he obtained his law degree from La Salle Extension University; and WHEREAS, A fiscal conservative, Mr. Longoria served as a county commissioner from 1949 to 1972; he also filled in as an interim county judge and volunteered as a trustee for the La Grulla and Rio Grande City school districts; although the 1950s were an economically challenging decade for Starr County, Mr. Longoria's efforts helped to fund two new elementary schools; and WHEREAS, Mr. Longoria was a charter member of LULAC as well as a member of the International Platform Association and the National Historical Society; he was the recipient of the Alpha Chi Award Plaque, and he was posthumously honored with a Presidential Memorial Certificate for his military service; and WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Longoria was blessed with the love and support of his wife, Maria Saenz, and their six children, Jose, Thelma, Isaac, Arturo, Romeo, and Roberto; in his leisure hours, he found enjoyment in his favorite pastime, playing the violin; and WHEREAS, The life of Jose Longoria was an inspiring example of the good that one person can accomplish, and he will forever hold a special place in the hearts of those he left behind; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life and legacy of Jose Maria Longoria Sr. and extend sincere condolences to his loved ones; 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 Jose Maria Longoria Sr. Guillen Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 94 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 13, 2025. Chief Clerk of the House