89R13364 TBO-D
By: Menéndez, et al. S.R. No. 222
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Former state senator and representative Joe J.
Bernal of San Antonio passed away on January 25, 2025, at the age of
97, bringing a great loss to his family, his friends, and his
community; and
WHEREAS, The son of Jose and Antonia Bernal, Joe Bernal was
born in San Antonio on March 1, 1927, and he grew up with the
companionship of eight siblings; after graduating from Lanier High
School in 1944, he joined the U.S. Army and served with the
Headquarters Squadron, Pacific Air Command, in Manila and Tokyo
during World War II; he attained the rank of sergeant before
receiving his honorable discharge at the age of 19; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bernal earned a bachelor's degree in sociology
from Trinity University, and he began his career as an educator with
the Kosciusko Independent School District; he went on to teach at
elementary schools in Edgewood ISD and San Antonio ISD and to obtain
a master's degree in education with a minor in social work from Our
Lady of the Lake College; along the way, he was employed as a social
worker at the Inman Christian Center for several years; he later
received a doctorate in cultural foundations in education from The
University of Texas at Austin; and
WHEREAS, A passionate advocate for education and civil
rights, Mr. Bernal successfully ran for a seat in the Texas House of
Representatives in 1964; he was subsequently elected state senator
by the people of Bexar County and began the first of two consecutive
terms in the Texas Senate in January 1967; over the course of his
tenure as a legislator, he championed bilingual education and the
end of de jure segregation, and in 1969, he overcame fierce
opposition to secure passage of the state's first bilingual
education act; he also played an instrumental role in establishing
UT San Antonio and the UT Health Science Center, and he helped to
build a strong foundation for early childhood education in Texas;
among numerous committee assignments, he served as chair of the
Senate Committees on Poverty in Texas, Claims, and Federal Programs
and Relations; he further distinguished himself as the first
executive director of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus; and
WHEREAS, While carrying out his duties as a lawmaker, Senator
Bernal was employed as executive director for the Guadalupe
Community Center and then for the Commission for Mexican American
Affairs; an avid supporter of the Mexican American Legal Defense
and Educational Fund, he became a founding member of the
organization's board in 1968, holding that role for 10 years; in
1971, he served as the lead plaintiff in White v. Regester, a
successful challenge to Texas' 1970 congressional redistricting
plans; and
WHEREAS, After concluding his service in the Texas
Legislature in 1973, Senator Bernal became an educational
researcher for the Intercultural Development Research Association
as well as a regional director for ACTION, a federal agency that
coordinated volunteer opportunities; beginning in 1982, he served
as principal of Emma Frey Elementary School in Edgewood ISD for five
years, and he subsequently accepted a position as assistant
superintendent for instructional services in Harlandale ISD; and
WHEREAS, Senator Bernal was elected to the State Board of
Education in 1996, and over the next decade, he continued his
efforts to advocate for bilingual education; he worked tirelessly
to provide classrooms with Spanish-language textbooks and to have
the elementary curriculum translated into Spanish, and he supported
the addition of mariachi band competitions to the University
Interscholastic League; twice reelected to the board, he served as
its vice chair from 2001 to 2003 and chaired the committee on
instruction; and
WHEREAS, Among his many accolades, Senator Bernal was
recognized with the Inspire Award from the SAISD Foundation in
2013, and he and his wife, fellow educator Mary Esther Bernal,
received the Lifetime Achievement Award from MALDEF in 2009; in
2014, Northside ISD named Bernal Middle School in his honor; and
WHEREAS, Above all else, Senator Bernal was devoted to his
family; he and his wife shared a rewarding marriage of six and a
half decades before her passing, and he took great pride in their
four children, Richard, Patrick, Rebecca, and the late Barney
Bernal; over the years, he was further blessed with eight
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Joe Bernal made a lasting, positive difference in
the lives of countless Texans through his exceptional contributions
as a public servant, and those who were fortunate enough to know him
will forever treasure their memories of his generosity, his
strength of character, and his love for his family and community;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature
hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Joe J. Bernal and
extend heartfelt sympathy to his relatives and many friends; 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 Joe Bernal.