H.R. No. 129
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The life of a Texas football legend drew to a close
with the passing of René Javier Ramirez of McAllen on June 20, 2023,
at the age of 85; and
WHEREAS, Born on July 11, 1937, in Hebbronville, René Ramirez
was the son of Dora and Tomas Ramirez and grew up with the
companionship of three brothers, Hector, Tomas, and Gregorio; he
first gained acclaim at Hebbronville High School, where he
graduated as valedictorian and lettered in football, baseball,
basketball, band, and track and field; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ramirez went on to attend The University of
Texas at Austin and earn a bachelor's degree in mechanical
engineering; nicknamed the Galloping Gaucho for his tremendous
speed as a runner, he was a standout halfback on the Longhorn
football team, leading the team in touchdowns in 1957 and tying for
the lead in 1958; during his three seasons on the gridiron, he was a
gifted two-way player and recorded four interceptions, and in 1959,
he was an All-Southwest Conference selection; among his many
accolades, he is a member of the Hebbronville High School Hall of
Fame, the Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame, the
National Hispanic Sports Hall of Fame, and the Rusk Athletic Club
Hall of Fame in Houston, and in 2013, he was inducted into the Texas
Athletics Hall of Honor; and
WHEREAS, Following his collegiate football career,
Mr. Ramirez found success selling insurance with American
Amicable, working as an engineer for Mobil Oil, and owning several
businesses; in August 2013, he retired from the Texas General Land
Office as an appraiser; in addition, he founded the René Ramirez
Youth Development Camp to help underprivileged children in East
Austin, and he gave motivational speeches at schools; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ramirez shared 28 years with his first wife, the
former Jo Marie Hill; fortunate to find love again, he wed Becky
Ramirez, and the couple enjoyed 34 years together; he took great
pride in his 9 children, Teresa, Eric, Celeste, Alan, Rene, Carlos,
Jo Rikki, Adrian, and Emmanuel, and with the passing years, his
family grew to include 11 grandchildren, Rene Elic, Riana, Roxanne,
Miranda, Andres, Gabrielle, Mariana, Alan, Xavier, Eliamar, and
Ezra, and 10 great-grandchildren, Mia, Beau, Gael, Atlas, Whitt,
Ava, Mila, Ocean, Luka, and Britten; and
WHEREAS, An engaged citizen, a devoted family man, and a
consummate Longhorn, René Ramirez leaves behind a legacy that will
long be remembered by all those who knew and loved him; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
René Javier Ramirez and extend sincere condolences to his loved
ones; 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 René
Ramirez.
Guillen
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 129 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on November 1, 2023.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House