88R22266 TBO-D
By: LaMantia S.R. No. 409
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The citizens of Brownsville lost an esteemed
community leader with the passing of former mayor Enrique C.
González on March 24, 2023, at the age of 87; and
WHEREAS, The son of Maria and Emilio González, Henry González
was born in San Benito on November 29, 1935, and he grew up with the
companionship of seven siblings, Reynaldo, Gloria, Maria, Delia,
Emiliano, Carlos, and Carmen; in his youth, he learned the value of
hard work through part-time jobs on his family's farm; he graduated
in 1954 from Saint Joseph Academy, where he played on the football
and basketball teams, and he went on to earn a degree in business
marketing from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas in
1958; he was a member of the Corps of Cadets in the C-Field
Artillery outfit during his years in College Station; and
WHEREAS, Mr. González worked in the cotton industry and
traveled across the U.S. before joining the Brownsville Independent
School District in 1962; over the course of his 13-year tenure, he
served as an educator and later as the district's director of
transportation and supplies; he became a trustee on the school
board in 1975, and his achievements in that role included serving as
president, securing passage of bond proposals, and guiding the
construction of new schools; he later embarked on a rewarding
career with the Oyster Bar restaurant, and he played an
instrumental role in managing its Rio Grande Valley expansion as
well as its location on Paredes Line Road; and
WHEREAS, In the early 1990s, Mr. González returned to public
office, first winning election as a Brownsville city commissioner
and later as mayor, serving in each role for five years; under his
able leadership, the city acquired a new city hall facility,
completed construction of the Veterans International Bridge at Los
Tomates, and established a Sister City relationship with Matamoros;
he also guided Brownsville through a period of economic growth, and
he played an instrumental role in promoting the Make a Difference
Day community cleanup initiative; and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. González benefited from
the love and support of his wife, Mary Lou, with whom he shared a
fulfilling marriage that spanned 65 years; he took great pride in
his children, Henry, Cissie, Lettie, Magda, and Justo, and over the
years, his treasured family grew to include six grandchildren and
four great-grandchildren; throughout his life, he found strength in
his Catholic faith; and
WHEREAS, A devoted family man, a hard-working public servant,
and an accomplished business leader, Henry González lived a rich
and purposeful life, and he leaves behind a record of service that
his loved ones can remember with pride; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature
hereby pay tribute to the memory of Enrique C. González and extend
heartfelt sympathy to all who mourn his passing; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this
day, it do so in memory of Henry González.