TITLE: In memory of Dr. Joseph Ernest Torres of El Paso.

SUMMARY: In memory of Dr. Joseph Ernest Torres of El Paso.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The city of El Paso lost an esteemed community leader with the passing of Dr. Joseph Ernest Torres on February 5, 2017, at the age of 93; and WHEREAS, Born in El Paso in 1923, Joseph Torres graduated from El Paso High School in 1941 and attended the Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy; he later worked as a recruiting agent with Southern Pacific Railroad and as a trainee marine machinist in Oakland, California; and WHEREAS, In 1942, during World War II, Dr. Torres enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and he served as an infantryman before becoming a B-17 bombardier and navigator, flying 13 bombing missions over Germany; in 1945, he began a two-year stint as a lieutenant in the Army Air Corps Reserve; and WHEREAS, After returning to civilian life, Dr. Torres graduated with a bachelor's degree from CMM in 1948 and subsequently earned his dental degree from Creighton University in 1952; he went on to serve in the Air Force Dental Reserve, attaining the rank of colonel, before opening his own private practice as a dental surgeon in El Paso; over the years, he contributed to his profession 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 proud veteran remained dedicated to his comrades in arms long after his military service; he was a cofounder of the Legacy of Valor and Vietnam Veterans Memorial organizations and served as vice commander of the local chapter of the American GI Forum; in recognition of his outstanding efforts, he was named an honorary member of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, which presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation for Meritorious and Exemplary Performance in Support of International Freedom and Peace; and WHEREAS, Joseph Torres fought courageously in defense of his nation and then returned to Texas to serve his community with equal commitment, and he will long be remembered with great admiration and affection by all who had the good fortune to know him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Joseph Ernest Torres and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn his passing; 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 Joseph Torres. Blanco Straus Goldman Oliverson Allen Gonzales of Williamson Ortega Alonzo Gonz lez of El Paso Paddie Alvarado Gooden Parker Anchia Guerra Paul Anderson of Dallas Guillen Perez Anderson of McLennan Gutierrez Phelan Ar valo Hefner Phillips Ashby Hernandez Pickett Bailes Herrero Price Bell Hinojosa Raney Bernal Holland Raymond Biedermann Howard Reynolds Blanco Huberty Rinaldi Bohac Hunter Roberts Bonnen of Brazoria Isaac Rodriguez of Bexar Bonnen of Galveston Israel Rodriguez of Travis Burkett Johnson of Dallas Romero, Jr. Burns Johnson of Harris Rose Burrows Kacal Sanford Button Keough Schaefer Cain King of Hemphill Schofield Canales King of Parker Schubert Capriglione King of Uvalde Shaheen Clardy Klick Sheffield Coleman Koop Shine Collier Krause Simmons Cook Kuempel Smithee Cortez Lambert Springer Cosper Landgraf Stephenson Craddick Lang Stickland Cyrier Larson Stucky Dale Laubenberg Swanson Darby Leach Thierry Davis of Dallas Longoria Thompson of Brazoria Davis of Harris Lozano Thompson of Harris Dean Lucio III Tinderholt Deshotel Martinez Turner Dukes Metcalf Uresti Dutton Meyer VanDeaver Elkins Miller Villalba Faircloth Minjarez Vo Fallon Moody Walle Farrar Morrison White Flynn Mu oz, Jr. Wilson Frank Murphy Workman Frullo Murr Wray Geren Neave Wu Gervin-Hawkins Nev rez Zedler Giddings Oliveira Zerwas Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 484 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on February 22, 2017. Chief Clerk of the House