H.R. No. 462
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of the Diocese of Austin will
be installed as the ninth archbishop of Galveston-Houston on
March 25, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Appointed to his current position in 2010, Bishop
Vásquez serves as a consultant to the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops Committee on Pro-Life Activities and as lead
bishop for Region X for the Fifth National Encuentro of
Hispanic/Latino Ministry; he previously served the USCCB in a
number of roles, including as chair of the Committee on Migration
and as a member of the Administrative Committee and the Committee
for Religious Liberty; in addition, he was a consultant for the
Committees on International Justice and Peace and on Domestic
Justice and Human Development, as well as for the Subcommittee on
Hispanic Affairs and Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism; he further
served on the boards of Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic
Legal Immigration Network; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Vásquez was installed as auxiliary bishop of
the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in 2002, becoming the nation's
youngest active bishop; during his tenure, he served as the vicar
general/chancellor, overseeing administrative operations of the
archdiocese, which is the largest in the state and the 11th largest
in the country; he was also episcopal vicar for Hispanics and the
liaison for youth; and
WHEREAS, A Stamford native, Bishop Vásquez attended Stamford
and Abilene public schools; he studied theology at the University
of St. Thomas in Houston and continued his education in Rome at the
Gregorian University, North American College; ordained a priest for
the Diocese of San Angelo in 1984, he served as associate pastor of
St. Joseph Parish in Odessa, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Fort
Stockton, and pastor of St. Joseph Parish in San Angelo; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of 15 years, Bishop Vásquez has
greatly benefited the Austin Diocese through his wisdom,
compassion, and unwavering devotion, and his bicultural approach to
spiritual leadership will make an even wider impact in the faith
community as he takes on his new role; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Bishop Joe S. Vásquez on his
installation as archbishop of Galveston-Houston and honor him for
his many years of service to the Diocese of Austin; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Bishop Vásquez as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Hinojosa
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 462 was adopted by the House on March
31, 2025, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House