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SENATE RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and |
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commemorates the life of Johnny Welton Self, who died December |
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21, 2022, at the age of 72; and |
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WHEREAS, Johnny Self was born on January 29, 1950, in |
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Zachary, Louisiana; a fiercely determined civic leader, he broke |
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through countless barriers and dedicated his career to serving |
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the residents of the Lone Star State; and |
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WHEREAS, After earning a degree in business management |
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from Southern University in 1972, John became the first Black |
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firefighter to serve with the Arlington Fire Department in 1973; |
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he bravely served the Arlington community while demonstrating |
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the unique courage and sound judgment of his profession with |
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pride; and |
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WHEREAS, After leaving the fire department, John worked |
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for the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts before |
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transitioning to a role with TXU Energy; a magnetic leader and |
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trailblazer, he was elected vice president of the TXU Energy |
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board and was the first Black man to serve in the role; and |
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WHEREAS, John acted as a government advisor with TXU |
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Energy and Oncor Electric Delivery and worked closely with many |
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state officials and political leaders throughout his career; his |
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unflagging optimism and commitment to serving the public |
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established him as a widely respected and popular figure at the |
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Texas Capitol, and he continued to serve as a political |
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consultant after his retirement from the energy sector; and |
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WHEREAS, John was a devoted parishioner of Mount Olive |
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Baptist Church, where he served as an usher, Sunday school |
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teacher, deacon, and executive board member; he was married to |
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the love of his life, Beatrice, for 49 years, and he cherished his |
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two children, Jeremy and Jarita, and his three grandchildren; and |
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WHEREAS, A man of courage, strength, and integrity, |
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Johnny's wisdom and generous spirit enriched the lives of many, |
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and his memory will be forever treasured by his loved ones and |
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friends and by all who were privileged to share in his life; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th |
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Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved |
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family of Johnny Welton Self; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas |
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Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in |
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memory of Johnny Self. |