H. Res. 363

In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

November 16, 1999.

Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., was born in Stockton, California, on

September 3, 1939;

Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., was the loving husband of Isabelle

Hernandez-Serna and devoted father of Phillip and Lisa;

Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., was the son of Gerania and Jose

Serna and the brother of Maria Elena Serna, Reuben

Serna, and Jesse Serna;

Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., grew up the son of an immigrant

farm worker, and was widely recognized as ambitious

with an irrepressible drive to succeed;

Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., experienced a pivotal point in his life

when he became a successful football player on the Lodi

Flames as a sophomore qualifying to play on the varsity

squad;

Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., graduated from Lodi High School

and went to work, where he later lost his job because he

endorsed a strike at the trailer manufacturing facility

where he was employed, and decided to further his education, beginning at junior college in Stockton, California,

then transferring to Sacramento City College and finally

to California State University, Sacramento, where he

graduated in 1966;
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Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., joined the Peace Corps in Guatemala, where he became involved in the election of a

Mayan Indian as mayor of a small town, providing him

with a first-hand education regarding the importance of

electoral politics;

Whereas Joe Serna Jr., spent more than a decade working

with migrant farm workers under the guidance of his role

model, Cesar Chavez, and organized food workers and coordinated election campaigns;

Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., began teaching classes on government and ethics at California State University, Sacramento, and became the primary caregiver for his children when his first marriage ended;

Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., was elected to the Sacramento City

Council on November 3, 1981, where he served until he

was elected mayor on November 3, 1992;

Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., was known as an elected official

with profound vision for the future and the energy to implement that vision, who could build coalitions, ignite

community involvement, and succeed in achieving his

goals;

Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., leaves a legacy in Sacramento of

downtown revitalization and growth, more parks and

places for Sacramentans to gather and enjoy their families and neighbors, a better public school system, more

jobs, more community police, and a higher quality of life;

and

Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., faced many challenges in his life,

and eventually succumbed to his greatest challenge, the

fight against cancer: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved,
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SECTION 1. HONORING MAYOR JOE SERNA, JR.

The House of Representatives—

(1) recognizes and honors Sacramento Mayor Joe

Serna, Jr.—

(A) as a profoundly successful leader whose

drive and energy inspired thousands,

(B) for his many lifetime contributions to Sacramento, the State of California, and the Nation,

and

(C) for selflessly devoting his life to the advancement of others through activism, public service, education, and dedication; and

(2) extends the deepest condolences to Mayor Joe

Serna’s wife, Isabelle, his son, Phillip, and his daughter,

Lisa, as well the citizens of Sacramento, California, for

the loss of their dedicated mayor.

SEC. 2. TRANSMITTAL OF ENROLLED COPY TO THE FAMILY OF

MAYOR JOE SERNA, JR.

The Clerk of the House of Representatives shall transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the family of Joe

Serna, Jr.

Attest:

Clerk.