88R16032 AMB-D
By: Zwiener H.R. No. 645
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Ruben Garza retired as executive director of the
Southside Community Center in 2022, drawing to a close more than
three and a half decades of exemplary service to people in need in
San Marcos and Hays County; and
WHEREAS, A native of McAllen, Ruben Garza earned his
bachelor's degree in political science from Southwest Texas State
University, and immediately after graduating, he joined the staff
of State Senator Gonzalo Barrientos; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Garza served as executive director of the
Southside Community Center, a nonprofit affiliate of the United
Methodist Church, for 36 years; the center seeks to improve the
living conditions and personal dignity of those in need in Hays
County through the delivery of such services as food and
transitional housing for those experiencing homelessness,
after-school activities for young people, and transportation to
local grocery stores; under Mr. Garza's leadership, the center has
sponsored summer volunteers from around the country who have worked
to improve the homes of residents who are low-income, elderly, or
disabled, and more than 800 homes have been upgraded over 25 years;
he also oversaw the development of a retirement center and
facilitated the creation of affordable senior housing; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Garza served as the first Hispanic president of
the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District and as a
founding member of the San Marcos Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; in
addition, he has been a member of the Rotary Club, the San Marcos
Youth Service Bureau, and the Blanco River Regional Recovery Group,
and he is an active congregant of First United Methodist Church; and
WHEREAS, Ruben Garza's skill, expertise, and dedication to
serving others have greatly benefited the people of San Marcos and
Hays County, and he may indeed reflect with pride on a career well
spent; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Ruben Garza on his retirement from
the Southside Community Center and extend to him sincere best
wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Garza as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.