By: Carter H.C.R. No. 169 73R11863 SRD-F CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, Charles F. Williams has been elected grand exalted 1-2 ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and 1-3 WHEREAS, One of the oldest, largest, and most highly 1-4 respected fraternal organizations in the United States, it boasts 1-5 an active membership of more than 1.4 million in 2,300 local lodges 1-6 nationwide; and 1-7 WHEREAS, Active in a myriad of civic enterprises, this 1-8 patriotic organization provides thousands of scholarships to 1-9 deserving students, aids in the organization and promotion of such 1-10 outstanding youth groups as the Boy's Clubs and Camp Fire Girl's 1-11 Clubs, and has furnished much-needed aid to disaster victims from 1-12 the time of the great Chicago fire of 1871 to the recent 1-13 devastation wrought by hurricanes Andrew and Iniki; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The newly elected grand exalted ruler of the Elks 1-15 was born January 24, 1934, in the North Texas farming community of 1-16 Wylie and demonstrated an early affinity for fraternal 1-17 organizations as a member of the Wylie Boy Scout Troop; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Charles F. Williams was graduated from Texas A&M in 1-19 1956 with a degree in engineering and while a student at that 1-20 esteemed institution was a member of the famed Texas A&M Corps of 1-21 Cadets; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Answering his country's call, this exemplary patriot 1-23 joined the U.S. Army in 1956 and served with distinction at bases 1-24 in South Carolina and Pennsylvania until 1958, when he was 2-1 discharged with the rank of captain; and 2-2 WHEREAS, After returning to Texas he enjoyed an exceptional 2-3 engineering career, which included significant contributions to the 2-4 U.S. Air Force and the National Aeronautics and Space 2-5 Administration; and 2-6 WHEREAS, On December 10, 1972, Mr. Williams was initiated 2-7 into the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at the Institution 2-8 of Plano, Texas, Lodge No. 2485, and his exceptional leadership 2-9 abilities brought him successively greater levels of responsibility 2-10 within that esteemed organization, culminating in his well-deserved 2-11 election as grand exalted ruler in 1993; and 2-12 WHEREAS, A devoted husband and father, this inspirational 2-13 individual resides in Plano with his beloved wife, Janet, and the 2-14 couple share their love and devotion with their eight children and 2-15 16 grandchildren; and 2-16 WHEREAS, Charles F. Williams has tirelessly given his time 2-17 and talents to the betterment of his country and community, and his 2-18 considerable efforts in that regard, particularly those he has made 2-19 as a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, are 2-20 indeed worthy of special legislative recognition; now, therefore, 2-21 be it 2-22 RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas 2-23 hereby congratulate Charles F. Williams on being elected the grand 2-24 exalted ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and 2-25 extend to him best wishes for continued success in the future; and, 2-26 be it further 2-27 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-1 prepared for Charles F. Williams as an expression of high regard by 3-2 the Legislature of the State of Texas.