H.R. No. 779
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Our esteemed colleague, the Honorable Jose
Menendez, is marking his 40th birthday on March 11, 2009, and this
occasion provides a fitting opportunity to officially welcome him
to the middle-age club and to recognize him as a member in good
standing; and
WHEREAS, Born to Maria and Antonio Menendez in San Juan,
Texas, in 1969, Jose Menendez has always demonstrated a maturity
beyond his years and a passion for public service; according to some
accounts, he considered a run for mayor of San Antonio while still
in kindergarten but ultimately decided to focus on other important
priorities, including finger painting and chairing the Milk and
Cookies Subcommittee at his elementary school; and
WHEREAS, This precocious Texan's entrance into government
was not long in coming, however; he became a San Antonio zoning
commissioner in 1994, when he was just barely old enough to rent a
car, and at age 28, he was elected to the city council, becoming one
of the youngest San Antonio residents ever to win such an important
post; in that 1997 election, thousands of citizens decided that Mr.
Menendez deserved their vote, though it is said that an equal number
of people offered to adopt the youthful candidate; and
WHEREAS, In 2001, possessing the wizened experience of a
31-year-old, Mr. Menendez took his seat in the Texas House of
Representatives; in the years since, he has distinguished himself
on a wide range of issues, and his expertise on fiscal issues has
earned him the nickname "Tax Credit"; and
WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, he enjoys the love and
support of his wife, Cehlia Nicole Newman-Menendez; the couple have
three wonderful children, Dominic Michael, Victoria Elise, and
Austin Maxwell, who, given their gene pool, will one day be just as
accomplished as their parents; in fact, there are rumors that all
three children have already formed exploratory committees in
preparation for the 2010 elections; and
WHEREAS, With Representative Menendez now turning 40, we have
further proof that time stands still for no one, but this esteemed
public servant is sure to meet the challenges of midlife with his
usual aplomb, not to mention a hearty supply of protein powder,
Whole Foods deli fare, and Monster Energy drinks; given the
remarkable achievements he has attained in his first four decades
of life, we are all looking forward to seeing what he can further
accomplish with a few gray hairs and a little middle-age mojo; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the Honorable Jose Menendez on his
40th birthday and encourage him to resist the urge to buy a sports
car to recapture his lost youth; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Representative Menendez as an expression of high
regard by his colleagues in the Texas House of Representatives.
Pickett
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 779 was adopted by the House on March
11, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House