SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 350 WHEREAS, The Most Reverend Joe S. Vásquez, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, is serving as Pastor of the Day for the Texas Senate on April 1, 2025; and WHEREAS, Installed as auxiliary bishop in 2002, Archbishop Vásquez served the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston 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 also held the roles of moderator of the curia, secretariat director for administration, and episcopal vicar for Hispanics; in 2010, he became the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Austin, and after 15 years of dedicated service, he was installed as the ninth archbishop of Galveston-Houston on March 25, 2025; and WHEREAS, Archbishop Vásquez further contributes to his faith community 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; moreover, he previously served the USCCB in a number of roles, including as chair of the Committee on Migration, as a member of the Administrative Committee and the Committee for Religious Liberty, and as a member of the boards of Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network; and WHEREAS, Born in Stamford, Archbishop Vásquez studied theology at the University of St. Thomas in Houston and continued his education in Rome at the Gregorian University, North American College; he was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of San Angelo in 1984 and went on to serve 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, Exemplifying the highest standards of his vocation, Joe Vásquez has inspired countless Texans through his messages of faith and goodwill, and it is a great privilege to welcome him to the State Capitol; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby honor the Most Reverend Joe S. Vásquez for his service as Pastor of the Day and congratulate him on his installation as archbishop of Galveston-Houston; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for Archbishop Vásquez as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Bettencourt Alvarado Hall Middleton Alvarado Hall Middleton Alvarado Hall Middleton Birdwell Hancock Miles Birdwell Hancock Miles Birdwell Hancock Miles Blanco Hinojosa of Hidalgo Nichols Blanco Hinojosa of Hidalgo Nichols Blanco Hinojosa of Hidalgo Nichols Campbell Hinojosa of Nueces Parker Campbell Hinojosa of Nueces Parker Campbell Hinojosa of Nueces Parker Cook Huffman Paxton Cook Huffman Paxton Cook Huffman Paxton Creighton Hughes Perry Creighton Hughes Perry Creighton Hughes Perry Eckhardt Johnson Schwertner Eckhardt Johnson Schwertner Eckhardt Johnson Schwertner Flores King Sparks Flores King Sparks Flores King Sparks Gutierrez Kolkhorst West Gutierrez Kolkhorst West Gutierrez Kolkhorst West Hagenbuch Menéndez Zaffirini Hagenbuch Menéndez Zaffirini Hagenbuch Menéndez Zaffirini Patrick, President of the Senate ________________________________ President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 1, 2025. ________________________________ Secretary of the Senate ________________________________ Member, Texas Senate Alvarado Hall Middleton Birdwell Hancock Miles Blanco Hinojosa of Hidalgo Nichols Campbell Hinojosa of Nueces Parker Cook Huffman Paxton Creighton Hughes Perry Eckhardt Johnson Schwertner Flores King Sparks Gutierrez Kolkhorst West Hagenbuch Menéndez Zaffirini