H.R. No. 17
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A life made rich by meaningful service has drawn to a
close with the death of longtime Laredo city councilman Joe
A. Guerra on September 15, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Joe Guerra was born in Laredo on July 9, 1934, to
Jose Margarito and Josefina Valls Guerra; after graduating from
Martin High School in 1953, he earned a bachelor's degree in
chemistry at St. Mary's University in San Antonio in 1957; and
WHEREAS, Returning to Laredo after college, Mr. Guerra joined
the family businesses, Laredo Motor Mart and Laredo Auto Parts; he
went on to open his own business, Joe Guerra Exxon gas station,
which he operated for 30 years; and
WHEREAS, In 1961, Mr. Guerra married the former Josie Flores,
and they shared a fulfilling life for 49 years, until his death; the
Guerras were blessed with 8 children and 11 grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Guerra devoted a great deal of his time and
energy to the betterment of his community, serving as the Laredo
city councilman from District 4 from 1970 to 1982; he sat on the
council again from 1994 to 2002, representing District 6 and
serving as dean of the council and as mayor pro tem; during his
tenure, he played a leading role in the extension of Del Mar
Boulevard, and he earned much respect and admiration for his
commitment to his constituents; and
WHEREAS, Active for many years in the Republican Party, Mr.
Guerra served as Webb County chair for the successful gubernatorial
campaign of Bill Clements in 1978, supported the presidential
candidacy of George H. W. Bush and the gubernatorial and
presidential candidacies of George W. Bush, and campaigned for U.S.
Representative Henry Bonilla; in 2000, he was given the honor of
leading the Pledge of Allegiance at the Republican National
Convention in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Guerra was also a man of strong religious faith;
he served as a Eucharistic minister and lector at Holy Redeemer
Church and, before that, at St. Peter the Apostle Church; and
WHEREAS, Joe Guerra lived a life centered around his family,
his faith, and his community, and though he is deeply missed, his
integrity, generosity, and graciousness will continue to inspire
all those who knew and loved him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Joe A. Guerra and
extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
wife, Josie Flores Guerra; to his children, Joe Guerra, Jr.,
Rebecca G. Doyle and her husband, Michael, Dr. Maya G. Zuniga and
her husband, Fernando, Alfonso Guerra and his wife, Amanda, Alfredo
Guerra and his wife, Tamara, Carlos Guerra, Monica G. Jones and her
husband, Robert, and Maria Eugenia Guerra; to his brothers, Richard
Guerra and his wife, Suzanne, and Luis Guerra and his wife, Lydia;
to his sisters, Josie G. Levander, Laura G. Adler and her husband,
Kenneth, Rosario Lapin and her husband, Stewart, Angela G. Cuellar
and her husband, Carlos, Anna Nudelman and her husband, Robert, and
Gabriela Kirchner and her husband, Steve; to his grandchildren,
Nicholas Coussoulis, Peter Coussoulis, Andria Zuniga, Analise
Zuniga, Abigail Guerra, Andrew Guerra, Kristian Guerra, Paola
Guerra, Marcela Guerra, Braden Jones, and Trent Jones; and to his
other relatives and friends; 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 the
Honorable Joe A. Guerra.
Raymond
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 17 was unanimously adopted by a rising
vote of the House on February 24, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House