By: Johnson H.R. No. 99 73R2624 BNL-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Chief Carson Newman Parks will retire from the 1-2 Carthage Police Department on January 31, 1993, after 23 years of 1-3 dedicated service to the people of that community; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Born on November 19, 1924, in Kizer, Tennessee, this 1-5 esteemed gentleman served his country during World War II as a 1-6 merchant marine, earning an honorable discharge in 1945; and 1-7 WHEREAS, Chief Parks then embarked on a remarkable 42-year 1-8 career in law enforcement when he attained his first position as 1-9 town marshall in Griffing Park; he went on to serve as deputy 1-10 sheriff in Jefferson County, as a Texas Ranger, and as chief of 1-11 police in Vidor before taking his current post in Carthage; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Throughout his career, this respected peace officer 1-13 has shared his expertise, leadership, and experience with his 1-14 colleagues through his involvement with several law enforcement 1-15 organizations; he has been a member of the East Texas Police Chiefs 1-16 Association since 1970 and has served as president, vice-president, 1-17 secretary, and treasurer of that organization; and 1-18 WHEREAS, He is also a member of the East Texas Peace Officers 1-19 Association and was recognized by his peers when he received that 1-20 organization's prestigious East Texas Award in 1987; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Chief Parks also has taken an active role in civic 1-22 leadership through his involvement with the Panola County Chamber 1-23 of Commerce and as a member of the East Texas Council of 1-24 Government's justice advisory board; his outstanding record and 2-1 many years of experience also have made him an invaluable member of 2-2 the East Texas Police Academy advisory board; and 2-3 WHEREAS, A member of the Baptist Church and the American 2-4 Legion, this admirable citizen takes great pride in his status as a 2-5 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Shrine, having 2-6 belonged to that distinguished fraternal organization for 45 years; 2-7 and 2-8 WHEREAS, Throughout his exceptional career, Chief Parks has 2-9 enjoyed a warm and loving relationship with his wife, Mary Beatrice 2-10 Goodwyn Parks and their two sons, Edward Newman and Jimmy Wade; in 2-11 recent years, Edward Newman and his wife, Donnette Robinson Parks, 2-12 and Jimmy Wade and his wife, Carole Chancellor Parks, have been 2-13 blessed with four beautiful children who have brought great pride 2-14 and joy to their grandparents: Michael Chad, Sunny Trinnette, 2-15 Jesse Wade, and Jimmy Lee; and 2-16 WHEREAS, This exemplary law enforcement officer has dedicated 2-17 most of his life to protecting and serving his fellow citizens, and 2-18 this dedication is indeed worthy of legislative recognition; now, 2-19 therefore, be it 2-20 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-21 Legislature hereby honor Chief Carson Newman Parks for his service 2-22 to the people of his community, region, and state and extend 2-23 warmest best wishes to him for a happy and rewarding retirement; 2-24 and, be it further 2-25 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-26 prepared for Chief Parks as an expression of high regard by the 2-27 Texas House of Representatives.