By:  Gallego                                          H.C.R. No. 16
       73R2708 BNL-D
                                 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, Judge Tom Connor retired from his position as county
    1-2  judge on December 31, 1992, after serving the people of Brewster
    1-3  County with honor and distinction in that post for 10 years; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, After serving his country in the United States Navy,
    1-5  Judge Connor enjoyed a 34-year career as a government professor at
    1-6  Sul Ross State University before he was elected to the office of
    1-7  county judge; and
    1-8        WHEREAS, Despite a crushing increase in the number of federal
    1-9  and state mandates over the last decade, Judge Connor helped the
   1-10  commissioners court adhere to a policy of sound fiscal management
   1-11  and conservative spending and thereby avoid budget and service
   1-12  crises that have plagued many counties and cities across the
   1-13  nation; and
   1-14        WHEREAS, Under the expert guidance of this innovative leader,
   1-15  Brewster County implemented a county unit road system that has
   1-16  become a model for other counties in the area; this system has
   1-17  improved the quality of local roads while actually saving money in
   1-18  the long run; and
   1-19        WHEREAS, Always concerned about the health and welfare of the
   1-20  people of his community, this dedicated public servant helped to
   1-21  establish a hospital district that created a stable source of
   1-22  income for local health care providers and ensured that Brewster
   1-23  County residents will have access to necessary medical help well
   1-24  into the future; and
    2-1        WHEREAS, Judge Connor also recognized the importance of
    2-2  preserving his region's unique historical heritage; he helped to
    2-3  coordinate the construction and renovation efforts performed on the
    2-4  county courthouse building, efforts that will allow future
    2-5  generations to maintain a link to the past; and
    2-6        WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious career, this respected
    2-7  civic leader never lost sight of taxpayers' best interests; during
    2-8  his tenure as the county's top administrative official, he helped
    2-9  to initiate a half-cent sales tax, which keeps property taxes low,
   2-10  and supported a system of line item budgets; and
   2-11        WHEREAS, Judge Connor has admirably served his fellow
   2-12  citizens for 10 years, and his distinguished leadership will be
   2-13  sorely missed by both his colleagues and his constituents; he has
   2-14  contributed greatly to the betterment of his community, and his
   2-15  numerous professional accomplishments and civic contributions are
   2-16  indeed worthy of special recognition; now, therefore, be it
   2-17        RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas
   2-18  hereby commend Judge Tom Connor for his many years of service to
   2-19  the people of Brewster County and extend warmest best wishes for
   2-20  many more years of continued success and happiness; and, be it
   2-21  further
   2-22        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-23  prepared for Judge Connor as an expression of high regard by the
   2-24  Legislature of the State of Texas.