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 edu-
cation, 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;
•HRES 363 EH
Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., joined the Peace Corps in Guate-
mala, 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 co-
ordinated election campaigns;
Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., began teaching classes on govern-
ment and ethics at California State University, Sac-
ramento, and became the primary caregiver for his chil-
dren 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 im-
plement 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 fami-
lies 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,
•HRES 363 EH
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 Sac-
ramento, the State of California, and the Nation,
and
(C) for selflessly devoting his life to the ad-
vancement of others through activism, public serv-
ice, 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 trans-
mit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the family of Joe
Serna, Jr.
Attest:
Clerk.