Joe E. Moreno was born in Houston, Texas on August 12, 1964. His parents Alice and Frank Moreno. The first of three children, Joe Moreno grew to love his community and the Houston area. He graduated from St. Thomas High School, and later attended the University of St. Thomas and Texas Southern University.

He was elected in November 1998 to serve in the Texas Legislature from House District 143.

Representative Moreno was experienced 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 had 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 had also held the position of Harris County Precinct Judge for Precinct 62.

As a member of the Texas Legislature, Representative Moreno served 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 the Justice of the Peace and Constables Association.

Representative Moreno considered it a privilege and honor to serve the residents of District 143 and always used his experience in the legislature to provide the highest level of representation for the people of Southeast Harris County. Representative Moreno, who was currently serving his fourth term in the Texas House, resided in Denver Harbor and also represented Magnolia, Manchester, Jacinto City, Galena Park, and parts of Pasadena and North Shore.

Representative Moreno passed away on May 6, 2005.