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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A life dedicated to the service of his nation and his |
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community drew to a close with the death of Randall County Judge |
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Ernie Houdashell on November 22, 2020, at the age of 74; and |
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WHEREAS, Ernie Houdashell was born in Clarendon on November |
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21, 1946, to Ernest and Della Houdashell, and he grew up in Hedley |
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with two sisters, Pat and Loveta; and |
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WHEREAS, Answering his nation's call to duty, Mr. Houdashell |
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enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1966 and served two tours of duty in |
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Vietnam with the 191st Assault Helicopter Company as a Huey |
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helicopter mechanic, crew chief, and door gunner; in 1968, he |
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received the Air Medal for flying more than 25 missions in hostile |
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territory within a six-day period, and he was honorably discharged |
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in February 1969; and |
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WHEREAS, Returning to civilian life, Mr. Houdashell was |
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employed by Bell Helicopter for four years, and he also studied |
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journalism at Amarillo College and earned a business degree at West |
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Texas State University; in 1973, he joined KGNC Radio as an |
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agricultural reporter, and he went on to cover agriculture |
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nationally with the Radio Farm Directors; in addition, he produced |
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a weekly agricultural report for radio stations in four states, the |
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American Cotton Network; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1985, Mr. Houdashell embarked on a new career in |
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politics, serving first as district director for U.S. |
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Representative Beau Bolter and then as district director for State |
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Representative John Smithee, a position he held until he was |
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elected as Randall County judge in 2002; as head of the Randall |
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County commissioners court for 18 years, he oversaw the creation of |
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a new justice center, a new Amarillo annex, and a new fire station |
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and events center, and he also played a leading role in the |
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development of the Randall County Veterans Park and the Panhandle |
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War Memorial; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Houdashell benefited from |
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the love and support of his wife of 50 years, Sandy, and he took |
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great pride in his three children, Scott, Clay, and Michele, and his |
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six grandchildren, Jordyn, Beck, Alexander, Indeh, Elizabeth, and |
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Bridger; and |
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WHEREAS, A devoted family man, a proud veteran, and a true |
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champion for his community, Ernie Houdashell lived a rich and |
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purposeful life, and he leaves behind a legacy of service to others |
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that will continue to inspire all those who knew and loved him; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Honorable Ernie |
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Houdashell and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family and many |
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friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Ernie |
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Houdashell. |