By: Black H.R. No. 89 73R2980 LBD-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, On February 5, 1933, William Olen Kemp and Ruby Bell 1-2 Yeager were united forever in the sacred bond of marriage; after 60 1-3 years, their life together stands as an eloquent testimony to the 1-4 power of longlasting love in an enduring relationship between 1-5 husband and wife; and 1-6 WHEREAS, The bonds that would eventually form this beautiful 1-7 and lasting relationship began early for these two special 1-8 individuals; born and raised in the Pecan Wells community in 1-9 Hamilton County, Mr. and Mrs. Kemp grew up as childhood friends, 1-10 children of families whose ties of friendship had gone back for 1-11 many years; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Befitting the large but close-knit community to 1-13 which they belonged, the occasion of their marriage was a joyous 1-14 community celebration that included visiting with family and 1-15 friends, attending church in the evening, and experiencing the 1-16 local tradition known as a "shivaree"; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Kemp have led an exciting life together 1-18 as they have lovingly supported one another in the pursuit of their 1-19 dreams; leaving Pecan Wells for Mount Olive in Mills County in 1-20 1936, this ambitious young couple owned and operated a local 1-21 grocery store for nine years until they relocated to Goldthwaite in 1-22 1945; and 1-23 WHEREAS, In 1944, Mr. Kemp started a bulldozing business that 1-24 brought them to Beeville for two years and to Edinburg during the 2-1 summer of 1951; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Returning to Goldthwaite in 1954, the Kemps began a 2-3 small ranching operation in the area and were actively involved in 2-4 that enterprise until 1987; in 1959 they also became the Gulf Oil 2-5 Distributors for the community, a business endeavor they sustained 2-6 for 15 years; and 2-7 WHEREAS, Because neither was able to attend school beyond the 2-8 eighth grade, Mr. and Mrs. Kemp believed in the importance of 2-9 education and instilled their values in their daughters; with their 2-10 parents' care and support, Merlyne, Ann, and Billie each went on to 2-11 receive a college degree; and 2-12 WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Kemp have always loved traveling and 2-13 have toured extensively throughout the United States, visiting 2-14 nearly every state in the nation, including Alaska and Hawaii; 2-15 though their trips have been scaled down a bit in recent years, 2-16 this fun-loving couple still seeks the pleasure of periodic outings 2-17 close to home; and 2-18 WHEREAS, Among their many activities, Mr. and Mrs. Kemp 2-19 volunteer with senior citizens groups, sing with the Men's Downtown 2-20 Bible Class and at Hillview Manor every week, and maintain an 2-21 active membership at the First Baptist Church of Goldthwaite; and 2-22 WHEREAS, The Kemp family has grown considerably over the 2-23 years; with six grandchildren, Tamra, Dedra, Tracey, Terri, 2-24 Melanie, and Lance, and four great-grandchildren, Joshua, Jeremy, 2-25 Jennifer, and Jessica, the happiness of this kind couple has 2-26 continually increased; and 2-27 WHEREAS, Proving that matrimony can be one of the most 3-1 fulfilling human experiences, the enduring marriage of these two 3-2 dedicated individuals has been a source of joy and inspiration to 3-3 the many friends and relatives of this fortunate pair; now, 3-4 therefore, be it 3-5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 3-6 Legislature hereby congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Olen Kemp on the 3-7 joyous occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary and extend 3-8 warmest best wishes to this lovely couple for continued happiness 3-9 in the years to come; and, be it further 3-10 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-11 prepared for Mr. and Mrs. Olen Kemp as an expression of highest 3-12 esteem by the Texas House of Representatives.