HR524 - In memory of Rafael "Ralph" Gonzales Jr. of San Marcos.

      H.R. No. 524       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, Residents of San Marcos lost an admired   restauranteur and civic leader with the passing of Rafael   Gonzales Jr. on January 25, 2025, at the age of 90; and          WHEREAS, The son of Rafael Gonzales Sr. and Virginia Lopez   Gonzales, Ralph Gonzales was born in Martindale on October 30,   1934; he dropped out of school in the seventh grade to help support   his family; on February 17, 1956, he married the former Mary   Juarez; they became the parents of four children, Jerry, Peggy,   Debbie, and Virginia Jeannie, and the family later grew to include   seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; after the couple   found success selling sausage links out of their home, Mr. Gonzales   opened a small restaurant, Pic-A-Taco, that later grew into a   two-story establishment; a longtime San Marcos favorite, the   business ultimately developed a national reputation, and   Mr. Gonzales was invited to cook for President Jimmy Carter in the   nation's capital in 1980; and          WHEREAS, Mr. Gonzales was renowned for his compassion;   during local floods in the 1970s, he provided free food to victims   and recovery workers, and following a major earthquake in   Guatemala, he organized volunteers to deliver five truckloads of   food and supplies to the country; he also came to the rescue of the   Southside Community Center when it lost key funding; from 1980 to   1990, he served as a Hays County commissioner, and over the years,   he gave generously of his time, talent, and resources to many   organizations, among them the Senior Citizens' Center, the Scheib   Opportunity Center, the Hays County Women's Center, and the   American GI Forum; in 1996, he founded a nonprofit, Nosotros la   Gente, which continues to provide footwear to children in need;   Mr. Gonzales was the recipient of numerous accolades, including the   1976 Citizen of the Year award from the Hays County Citizen ; and          WHEREAS, Devoted to his family and his community, Ralph   Gonzales made a meaningful difference in the lives of his loved ones   and fellow citizens alike, and his contributions will be remembered   for years to come; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Rafael Gonzales Jr.   and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family and to his   many friends; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be   prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of   Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Ralph   Gonzales.     Zwiener     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 524 was unanimously adopted by a   rising vote of the House on March 31, 2025.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House