H.R. No. 94
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family and friends will forever carry with them the
memory of Jose Maria Longoria Sr., a prominent Starr County
educator and public servant, who passed away on May 2, 1980, at the
age of 73; and
WHEREAS, Born on June 20, 1906, and raised in La Grulla, Jose
Longoria was the son of Tristan and Guadalupe C. Longoria, who
instilled in him the importance of education from an early age; he
went on to be named the salutatorian at San Diego High School in
1925, and he subsequently graduated with honors from Texas A&I
University in 1933; he and both of his siblings, Guadalupe and
Roberto, attended college at a time when few minorities were
enrolled; and
WHEREAS, During World War II, Mr. Longoria enlisted in the
U.S. armed forces and became an army instructor in 1944; he had
previously taught Spanish at Texas A&I University, and upon
returning from military service, he resumed his career as an
educator in the San Isidro and Brownsville school districts; after
working as an editor for the Starr County Democrat for two years, he
took over as owner and manager of Valley Distributing Company,
operating the business from 1938 to 1974; along the way, he obtained
his law degree from La Salle Extension University; and
WHEREAS, A fiscal conservative, Mr. Longoria served as a
county commissioner from 1949 to 1972; he also filled in as an
interim county judge and volunteered as a trustee for the La Grulla
and Rio Grande City school districts; although the 1950s were an
economically challenging decade for Starr County, Mr. Longoria's
efforts helped to fund two new elementary schools; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Longoria was a charter member of LULAC as well
as a member of the International Platform Association and the
National Historical Society; he was the recipient of the Alpha Chi
Award Plaque, and he was posthumously honored with a Presidential
Memorial Certificate for his military service; and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Longoria was blessed with
the love and support of his wife, Maria Saenz, and their six
children, Jose, Thelma, Isaac, Arturo, Romeo, and Roberto; in his
leisure hours, he found enjoyment in his favorite pastime, playing
the violin; and
WHEREAS, The life of Jose Longoria was an inspiring example
of the good that one person can accomplish, and he will forever hold
a special place in the hearts of those he left behind; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life and legacy of Jose Maria
Longoria Sr. 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 Jose Maria
Longoria Sr.
Guillen
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 94 was unanimously adopted by a rising
vote of the House on March 13, 2025.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House