Rep. Joe Moreno was supposed to be reminiscing with his colleagues this week, as it’s the second anniversary of House Democrats’ breaking quorum during the 2003 redistricting fight. Instead, the Houston lawmaker was laid to rest Tuesday in the Texas State Cemetery, following a long procession from services in Houston. Moreno, 40, was killed early May 6 on his drive back to Austin from an NBA playoff game in Houston. Two passengers – state Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, and Monica Piñon, chief of staff for Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso – were injured in the wreck on Texas 71. Anchia was released from Brackenridge Hospital with minor injuries while Piñon remained hospitalized with wrist and ankle injuries. Moreno was remembered as a big man with a big heart, whom friends and colleagues could count on for support and good humor.
This article appears in May 13 • 2005.
