Breaking: Rep. Joe Moreno killed in car crash last night.

[GOPisEvil]

www.statesman.com (no article, just banner on front page promising more details later).

[Mistress Quickly]

1. Sheesh

Prayers for his family and friends and constituents.

What happens now?

[whistle]

2. So sorry to hear that...

<snip>
Texas House Membership
Representative Joe E. Moreno

Biographical Information

Joe E. Moreno (Houston) was born in Houston , Texas on August 12, 1964. He was elected in November 1998 to serve in the Texas Legislature from House District 143.

Representative Moreno has experience both as a legislator and staff member in the Texas House of Representatives. He previously worked as a Legislative Aide for former District 143 State Representative Al Luna, as well as serving as Chief of Staff and Campaign Manager for State Representative Jessica Farrar (Houston).

As a long-time activist in helping to improve his community, Representative Moreno has been involved for many years in the Resurrection Catholic Church, Harris County Tejano Democrats, and the League of United Latin American Citizens Council Number Sixty. He has also held the position of Harris County Precinct Judge for Precinct 62.

As a member of the Texas Legislature, Representative Moreno currently serves on the House Committee on Business and Industry and the House Committee on Juvenile Justice and Family Issues. He also served as Vice-Chair before becoming Chair of the Harris County Delegation, which is made up of 25 State Representatives, all of whom represent districts within Harris County. There are 14 Republicans and 11 Democrats in the caucus. In 1999, Representative Moreno received the outstanding legislator award from the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities. He also was named the 2003 Legislator of the Year from Justice of the Peace and Constables Association.

Representative Moreno considers it a privilege and honor to serve the residents of District 143 and looks forward to using his experience in the legislature to provide the highest level of representation for the people of Southeast Harris County. Representative Moreno, who is currently serving his fourth term in the Texas House, resides in Denver Harbor and also represents Magnolia, Manchester, Jacinto City, Galena Park, and parts of Pasadena and North Shore.

<link> http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist143/moreno.htm

[johncoby2]

3. Big Joe.

When he went to Ardmore, we sent Joe a note from our club stating our support. When we met face to face he made a special effort to say thanks. We became friends after that.

He was such a great individual! A big guy with a big heart.

[GOPisEvil]

4. Link.

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/shared/tx/legislature/stories/05/6moreno.html (Reg. Req.)

Texas State Rep. Joe Ernest Moreno died early today in a one-car accident on Texas 71 in Fayette County; a second state representative and the chief of a staff for a third representative were injured.

Texas Department of Public Safety officials said Moreno, the 40-year-old Houston Democrat, died around 2 a.m. at the scene of the accident between Ellinger and LaGrange.

State Rep. Rafael Anchía, 36, D-Dallas, was taken to Brackenridge Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, officials said. Monica Lisa Piñon, 28, the chief of staff for State Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, was in the back seat of the truck and also was taken to Brackenridge Hospital with broken bones. She reportedly is in fair condition.

DPS investigators said Moreno was driving west on Texas 71 when the 2004 pickup truck veered onto the shoulder. Moreno apparently overcorrected and the truck swerved into a ditch and rolled over several times.

[merci_me]

5. He was a really good guy

I'll miss Joe and his beautiful smile. Rest in Peace.

Mary

[sonias]

6. Very sad indeed

Heartfelt condolences to his family. I was in his office last night talking with one of his legislative staff members about a bill ACLU opposes. He wasn't in the office but I'm sorry to hear the news.

Anchia is a good house member as well and I'm happy that he will be all right.

I think at 2:00 a.m. in the morning that they were all very tired driving back from that game in Houston.

Rest in peace Joe Moreno.

Sonia

[WestHoustonDem]

7. I updated the blog and HCDP's site about tonight's Texas Heroes event

No decision has been made. It will either be cancelled or converted to some kind of memorial event. They are trying to contact the family to see what they prefer.

[sonias]

8. In Memory of Representative Joe Moreno.

The House adjourned today until 8:00 a.m., Monday, May 9, 2005 in memory of Rep. Joe Moreno.

Sonia

[WestHoustonDem]

9. Tonight's Real Texas Heroes Salute is Postponed

Out of respect for the late State Representative Joe Moreno, the Real Texas Heros Salute scheduled for tonight, May 6, 2005, has been postponed.

We will re-schedule the event for a date shortly after the Legislature adjourns. Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to all who are hurting today with the news of this great tragedy. We are all in shock, disbelief, and pain.

[cosmik debris]

10. We have lost a real friend

He always smiled, even when things were going against him. He will be remembered and missed.

[sonias]

11. Moreno spoke with colleague by cell phone during drive to Austin

http://www.statesman.com/hp/content/shared/tx/legislature/stories/05/6dunnam.html
As he drove back to Austin early this morning, Rep. Joe Moreno twice called a colleague to get the latest scoop on a television program that was expected to poke fun at the Texas House on Thursday night.

About an hour before he was killed in a car wreck near La Grange, Moreno was on the line with Waco Democrat Jim Dunnam.

"We were just teasing one another," Dunnam said. " I told him he'd better get back in time for (today's) session."

Dunnam said Moreno had called him because he was curious about whether Rep. Al Edwards, D-Houston, had appeared on "The Daily Show," a satirical news program on Comedy Central, to explain his bill about banning sexually suggestive cheerleading in Texas schools. The segment did not air.

They also held a service at noon today today for Representative Moreno at Our Lady Of Guadalupe Catholic Church, for his Capitol friends and family.

Sonia

[WestHoustonDem]

12. Real Texas Heroes Salute Rescheduled for June 10 n/t

[sonias]

13. Funeral in Houston on Tuesday 5/10

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/shared/tx/legislature/stories/05/10anchia.html
Moreno's funeral will be held tomorrow at 10 a.m. at the Catholic Charismatic Center, Interstate 45 South at Cullen Boulevard in Houston. A car procession to Austin will follow.

Burial will be held at the State Cemetery on East Seventh Street. A fellowship at the Four Seasons Hotel will follow.

A remembrance service will be held in the House Chamber on Wednesday morning.

Sonia

[NoPasaran]

14. Mary Denny's wedding went ahead as planned

http://www.inthepinktexas.com/index.php?p=232

[sonias]

15. Yes, pretty tasteless not to postpone it

The Texas Observer had a good blog entry on it too
You have to scroll down to the May 6th entry Strange Day

Despite the tragic news, Denny decided to go ahead with her wedding. Houston Democrat and reverend Al Edwards led a prayer before the ceremony. The death and the wedding "show that God gives life and you take it away," Edwards said. The ceremony, ministered by Rep. Joe Crabb, lasted about 15 minutes before roughly 50 guests, including Speaker Tom Craddick. After the ceremony, Barry White's "My Everything" blared over the chamber's sound system. Some guests nodded their heads to the beat, while, a few feet away, Moreno's desk remained adorned with memorial yellow flowers.

Sonia

[merci_me]

16. The thing that jumped out at me

about Mary Denny's wedding is that 50 people were there.

The House and Senate consists of 181 members, the majority of them repukes, but guess who was there. Don't you wonder how it happens that these last two posts quote only the Democratic Bopsey Twins, Stumble and Dodge.

---Houston Democrat and reverend Al Edwards led a prayer before the ceremony. The death and the wedding "show that God gives life and you take it away," Edwards said. The ceremony,

---Rep. Sylvester Turner: “It’s kind of ironic that we have tears of happiness and sorrow today… I think it is a testament to what life is. We started the day with tragedy and ended it with happiness.”

I hope the damn buffet made them sick, as sick as this makes Joe's friends and family feel!

Mary