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| 5 | 6 | | |
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| 6 | 7 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 7 | 8 | | WHEREAS, A life lived with joy and purpose drew to a close |
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| 8 | 9 | | with the passing of Gilbert J. Riojas III of Corpus Christi on |
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| 9 | 10 | | December 13, 2024, at the age of 47; and |
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| 10 | 11 | | WHEREAS, Gilly Riojas was born on May 13, 1977, to Tina and |
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| 11 | 12 | | Gilbert Riojas, and he grew up with three younger sisters, Jamie, |
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| 12 | 13 | | Caitlin, and Ryan; he excelled as a football player at Austin High |
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| 13 | 14 | | School, and following his graduation in 1996, he continued in his |
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| 14 | 15 | | parents' and grandparents' footsteps by enrolling at Texas A&M |
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| 15 | 16 | | University, where he made many lifelong friends; and |
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| 16 | 17 | | WHEREAS, Over the course of a successful career, Mr. Riojas |
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| 17 | 18 | | worked as general manager for La Babia Cattle Company, which |
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| 18 | 19 | | operates ranches in Mexico and South Texas; an admired leader, he |
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| 19 | 20 | | left an indelible mark on the agricultural industry, mentoring many |
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| 20 | 21 | | young professionals and representing the Texas Beef Council as a |
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| 21 | 22 | | director for the Federation of State Beef Councils; in addition, he |
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| 22 | 23 | | lent his expertise to the Texas Cattle Feeders Association and the |
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| 23 | 24 | | Beef Promotion and Research Council of Texas, and he served as |
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| 24 | 25 | | director of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; |
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| 25 | 26 | | and |
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| 26 | 27 | | WHEREAS, On December 4, 2004, Mr. Riojas wed the love of his |
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| 27 | 28 | | life, the former Andrea Martinka, and the couple enjoyed a |
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| 28 | 29 | | rewarding marriage that spanned 20 years; his life was further |
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| 29 | 30 | | enriched by the close bond he shared with their daughter, Rylynn, |
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| 30 | 31 | | and he always made time for her activities, including sports and |
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| 31 | 32 | | school events; in all his endeavors, he drew strength from his |
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| 32 | 33 | | Catholic faith; and |
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| 33 | 34 | | WHEREAS, Beloved for his kindness, generosity, and exuberant |
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| 34 | 35 | | personality, Gilly Riojas leaves behind numerous friends and loved |
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| 35 | 36 | | ones whose lives are far richer for having known him, and he will |
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| 36 | 37 | | always hold a treasured place in their hearts; now, therefore, be it |
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| 37 | 38 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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| 38 | 39 | | Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Gilbert J. Riojas |
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| 39 | 40 | | III and extend heartfelt condolences to the members of his family: |
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| 40 | 41 | | to his wife, Andrea Martinka Riojas; to his daughter, Rylynn Sara |
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| 41 | 42 | | Riojas; to his parents, Bettina Lynn McSpadden and Gilbert J. |
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| 42 | 43 | | Riojas Jr.; to his sisters, Jamie Riojas, Caitlin Riojas and her |
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| 43 | 44 | | spouse, Tyler Canon, and Ryan Riojas; to his nephews and nieces, |
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| 44 | 45 | | Jackson, Blue, and Maddie Hall and Penny Canon; to his |
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| 45 | 46 | | grandparents, Ouida and Tom Schliesing; and to his other relatives |
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| 46 | 47 | | and many friends; and, be it further |
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| 47 | 48 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 48 | 49 | | prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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| 49 | 50 | | Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Gilly |
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| 50 | 51 | | Riojas. |
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