Bill Text: TX SR125 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing Joe Steve Vásquez, who was recently appointed to serve as Archbishop.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2025-02-20 - Reported enrolled [SR125 Detail]
Download: Texas-2025-SR125-Enrolled.html
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| WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to | ||
| recognize the Most Reverend Bishop Joe Steve Vásquez, who was | ||
| recently appointed to serve as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of | ||
| Galveston-Houston by Pope Francis; and | ||
| WHEREAS, A native of Stamford, Texas, Archbishop-Designate | ||
| Vásquez has served the Catholic Diocese of Austin since 2010; he | ||
| earned a bachelor's degree in theology from the University of | ||
| Saint Thomas in Houston and a licentiate in sacred theology from | ||
| the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome; and | ||
| WHEREAS, After his ordination into the priesthood in 1984, | ||
| he devoted himself as a pastor and parochial vicar at churches in | ||
| Odessa, Fort Stockton, and San Angelo; in 2002, he received | ||
| episcopal ordination and was named auxiliary bishop of the | ||
| Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, where he gained significant | ||
| experience as a vicar, chancellor, moderator, and secretariat | ||
| director; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Bishop Vásquez was installed as the fifth bishop | ||
| of the Diocese of Austin in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI, and over | ||
| the last 15 years, he has faithfully served more than 700,000 | ||
| Catholics and religious leaders in 25 Central Texas counties; and | ||
| WHEREAS, This esteemed bishop is returning to the | ||
| Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston on March 25, 2025, to lead a | ||
| diverse and growing ministry of 1.8 million members and to | ||
| fulfill his mission to care for families, minister to young | ||
| adults, and promote the priesthood for future Catholic leaders; | ||
| he is a highly esteemed and beloved clergyman, and he is truly | ||
| deserving of special recognition for his life of ministerial | ||
| service; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th | ||
| Legislature, hereby commend Archbishop-Designate Joe Steve | ||
| Vásquez on his decades of exemplary spiritual leadership and his | ||
| devoted service to the Diocese of Austin and extend to him best | ||
| wishes for success in his new role as Archbishop of | ||
| Galveston-Houston; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for | ||
| him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. | ||
| Eckhardt | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| President of the Senate | ||
| I hereby certify that the | ||
| above Resolution was adopted by | ||
| the Senate on February 20, 2025. | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| Secretary of the Senate | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| Member, Texas Senate | ||
