89R23730 BK-D
By: Hinojosa of Nueces S.R. No. 423
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Cameron County lost an esteemed
community leader and friend to many with the passing of former
county clerk Joe G. Rivera on April 2, 2025, at the age of 85; and
WHEREAS, Born on October 19, 1939, Joe Rivera was the son of
Faustino and Benita Rivera and grew up in the Corpus Christi area
with the companionship of two sisters, Delia and Estella, and two
brothers, Gilbert and Faustino; he earned a bachelor's degree from
Texas Southmost College and served in the U.S. Marine Corps
Reserves from 1957 to 1965; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Rivera first took office as the Cameron County
clerk in 1974, and he went on to distinguish himself in that role
for more than three and a half decades; during his tenure, he
spearheaded numerous projects to modernize the office's
operations, and he was honored as the Texas County Clerk of the
Year; moreover, he served as president of the County and District
Clerks' Association of Texas and further contributed to his
profession by appearing before the Texas Legislature on numerous
occasions; and
WHEREAS, A prominent member of the community, Mr. Rivera held
leadership positions with United Way of Southern Cameron County,
the Mr. Amigo Association, and the Cameron County Bail Bond Board;
he was also a dedicated volunteer for the Jaycees, the Knights of
Columbus, and the Charro Days fiesta, and his myriad honors
included recognition from the Brownsville Rotary Club and the
Distinguished Citizen Award from the Boy Scouts of America; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Rivera shared 65 years of marriage with his
beloved wife, Ofilia, and he was the proud father of five children,
Michael, Joe Ernest, Robert, John, and Norma; with the passing
years, his treasured family grew to include 7 grandchildren and 10
great-grandchildren; a man of faith, he was an active congregant of
St. Luke Catholic Church; and
WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to his family and his community, Joe
Rivera lived a full and generous life, and he leaves behind a legacy
of kindness and service to others that will continue to inspire all
those who knew and loved him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature
hereby pay tribute to the memory of Joe G. Rivera and extend sincere
sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Ofilia Rivera;
to his children, Michael Rivera, Joe Ernest Rivera and his wife,
Jeannette, Robert Rivera and his wife, Brenda, John Rivera and his
wife, Betty, and Norma Myers and her husband, Mike; to his sister,
Estella Taylor; to his grandchildren, Daniel, Jacquelyn, Joe
Ernest, Lisa, April Marie, Stephanie, and Eric; to his
great-grandchildren; and to his other relatives and 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 Rivera.