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SENATE RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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recognize Carter Smith, who retired as executive director of the |
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Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in January of 2023 after 15 |
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years of exemplary leadership; and |
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WHEREAS, Carter's career has been defined by his ongoing |
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dedication to wildlife and land management, wildlife biology, |
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and land conservation, and he is noted for his unstinting |
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stewardship of Texas land, waters, and wildlife; and |
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WHEREAS, Carter developed a deep appreciation for the |
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natural world as a child on his family's farm and ranchlands in |
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Central Texas, and his passion for wildlife helped to guide him |
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throughout his education; he earned his bachelor's degree in |
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wildlife management from Texas Tech University, and he holds a |
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master's degree in conservation biology from Yale University; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Carter has served on numerous |
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conservation-related boards and advisory councils, and he has |
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contributed to wildlife conservation projects across all of |
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North America; before joining the Texas Parks and Wildlife |
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Department as executive director in 2008, he served as director |
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of the Nature Conservancy of Texas; he has served as chairman of |
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the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and has been a |
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member and leader of numerous professional organizations; and |
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WHEREAS, Carter has received a range of awards recognizing |
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his years of service and contributions to conserving natural |
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resources, and in 2022, the Association of Fish and Wildlife |
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Agencies awarded Carter its highest honor, the Seth Gordon |
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Lifetime Achievement Award; and |
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WHEREAS, With far-reaching vision and exceptional |
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knowledge and leadership, Carter has overseen a team of 3,300 |
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Texas Parks and Wildlife Department employees and has guided the |
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department in its mission to manage and conserve the natural |
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resources of Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, An exemplary public servant, Carter Smith has |
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devoted his career to caring for the wildlife and the land of |
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Texas, and it is indeed fitting that he receive special |
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recognition on his outstanding contributions to the Lone Star |
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State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th |
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Legislature, hereby commend Carter Smith on his distinguished |
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career and service as executive director of the Texas Parks and |
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Wildlife Department and extend to him congratulations on his |
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retirement and best wishes for success in all his future |
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endeavors; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. |