81R7950 SKA-D
By: Gonzales H.C.R. No. 39
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, During his impressive career in public service,
Edinburg Mayor Joe Ochoa has made lasting contributions to the city
through his commitment to economic advancement and quality of life;
and
WHEREAS, Mayor Ochoa first won election in 1993 and served
for 10 years; he was again elected in 2006, and in the course of his
five terms in office, Edinburg has experienced dramatic growth and
increased prosperity; assessed tax valuations have grown from $500
million to $3 billion, while unemployment has decreased from 20
percent to 5 percent, the lowest rate in the Rio Grande Valley; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Mayor Ochoa, Edinburg has
succeeded in attracting a wide array of industries, ranging from
retail, recreational, and sports facilities to state-of-the-art
regional power plants; from 1993 to 2002 alone, building permits
increased from $17 million to $111 million; significant
enhancements to the transportation system include the expansion of
McColl, Sugar, and Trenton roads and the construction of the
Expressway 281 bypass and the overpass from Pharr to Edinburg; and
WHEREAS, The tireless efforts and advocacy of the mayor
helped bring to The University of Texas-Pan American both the
research division of the Regional Academic Health Center and the
cooperative UT Pharmacy School; Mayor Ochoa also helped set the
stage for future growth and progress, leading the development of a
city master plan entitled Edinburg 20/20; the city has received a
number of accolades during his tenure, among them two All-America
City awards and two Clean Cities awards; and
WHEREAS, Before becoming mayor, this dedicated leader served
for 12 years on the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School
District Board of Trustees; he is a member and past president of the
Edinburg Economic Development Corporation, a co-chair of the I-69
Alliance--Highway 281, and a member and former chair of the Hidalgo
County Metropolitan Planning Organization, and he has served
numerous civic organizations in a variety of capacities; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Ochoa, a graduate of The University of Texas
at Austin, is a pharmacist and the proprietor of two community
pharmacies; he has announced that he will leave public office to
attend to his business ventures when his current term ends in May,
and as he returns to private life, he leaves a remarkable record of
accomplishment that will continue to benefit area residents for
years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby commend the Honorable Joe Ochoa for his many years of service
to the citizens of Edinburg and extend to him best wishes for
continued success in all his endeavors; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mayor Ochoa as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives and Senate.