SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 423
In Memory
of
Joe Rivera
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 State of Texas, 89th
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.
Hinojosa of Nueces
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 22, 2025, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate