[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 363 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                     November 16, 1999.
Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., was born in Stockton, California, on September 3, 1939;
Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., was the loving husband of Isabelle Hernandez-Serna and 
        devoted father of Phillip and Lisa;
Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., was the son of Gerania and Jose Serna and the brother of 
        Maria Elena Serna, Reuben Serna, and Jesse Serna;
Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., grew up the son of an immigrant farm worker, and was 
        widely recognized as ambitious with an irrepressible drive to succeed;
Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., experienced a pivotal point in his life when he became a 
        successful football player on the Lodi Flames as a sophomore qualifying 
        to play on the varsity squad;
Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., graduated from Lodi High School and went to work, where 
        he later lost his job because he endorsed a strike at the trailer 
        manufacturing facility where he was employed, and decided to further his 
        education, beginning at junior college in Stockton, California, then 
        transferring to Sacramento City College and finally to California State 
        University, Sacramento, where he graduated in 1966;
Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., joined the Peace Corps in Guatemala, where he became 
        involved in the election of a Mayan Indian as mayor of a small town, 
        providing him with a first-hand education regarding the importance of 
        electoral politics;
Whereas Joe Serna Jr., spent more than a decade working with migrant farm 
        workers under the guidance of his role model, Cesar Chavez, and 
        organized food workers and coordinated election campaigns;
Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., began teaching classes on government and ethics at 
        California State University, Sacramento, and became the primary 
        caregiver for his children when his first marriage ended;
Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., was elected to the Sacramento City Council on November 
        3, 1981, where he served until he was elected mayor on November 3, 1992;
Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., was known as an elected official with profound vision 
        for the future and the energy to implement that vision, who could build 
        coalitions, ignite community involvement, and succeed in achieving his 
        goals;
Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., leaves a legacy in Sacramento of downtown revitalization 
        and growth, more parks and places for Sacramentans to gather and enjoy 
        their families and neighbors, a better public school system, more jobs, 
        more community police, and a higher quality of life; and
Whereas Joe Serna, Jr., faced many challenges in his life, and eventually 
        succumbed to his greatest challenge, the fight against cancer: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved,

SECTION 1. HONORING MAYOR JOE SERNA, JR.

    The House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes and honors Sacramento Mayor Joe Serna, Jr.--
                    (A) as a profoundly successful leader whose drive and energy 
                inspired thousands,
                    (B) for his many lifetime contributions to Sacramento, the 
                State of California, and the Nation, and
                    (C) for selflessly devoting his life to the advancement of 
                others through activism, public service, education, and 
                dedication; and
            (2) extends the deepest condolences to Mayor Joe Serna's wife, 
        Isabelle, his son, Phillip, and his daughter, Lisa, as well the citizens 
        of Sacramento, California, for the loss of their dedicated mayor.

SEC. 2. TRANSMITTAL OF ENROLLED COPY TO THE FAMILY OF MAYOR JOE SERNA, JR.

    The Clerk of the House of Representatives shall transmit an enrolled copy of 
this resolution to the family of Joe Serna, Jr.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.