H.R. No. 432 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, March 20, 1993, marks the 50th birthday of the 1-2 distinguished speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, the 1-3 Honorable James E. "Pete" Laney; and 1-4 WHEREAS, The son of W. G. and Frances Laney, he was born in 1-5 "Plain view" on March 20, 1943, a little-known fact that may help 1-6 to account for his sincere efforts to create a more open government 1-7 as the leader of this august chamber; and 1-8 WHEREAS, In his youth, Speaker Laney was graduated from Hale 1-9 Center High School, where he was no doubt voted "most likely to 1-10 become a political trailblazer," and he went on to pursue a 1-11 bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from Texas Tech 1-12 University, graduating in 1966; and 1-13 WHEREAS, While in college, Speaker Laney also pursued the 1-14 lovely Nelda McQuien, and the devoted couple were united in 1-15 marriage in 1963; since that time, they have shared the joys of 1-16 parenthood as the proud progenitors of a trio of gifted children, 1-17 KaLyn Laney, Jamey Laney Phillips, and J Pete Laney, all of whom 1-18 are quick to sing their parents' praises; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Out standing in his field, Speaker Laney is a farmer 1-20 by profession who first entered the field of politics in 1972 when 1-21 he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives; quickly 1-22 earning a well-deserved reputation as a man of fairness, integrity, 1-23 and intelligence, Speaker Laney was soon named chairman of the 1-24 House Administration Committee, in which post he served with 2-1 distinction from 1975 to 1982; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Appointed speaker pro tempore of the house in 1982, 2-3 he was named chairman of the House State Affairs Committee the 2-4 following year, in which capacity he continued to make a name for 2-5 himself for the next nine years; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Over the course of his exemplary tenure, Speaker 2-7 Laney also has shared his considerable leadership abilities as 2-8 chairman of the Interim Committee on Nursing Home Reform and as an 2-9 active member of the State Aircraft Pooling Board, the Task Force 2-10 on Public Utility Regulation, and the House Select Committee on 2-11 Rules; and 2-12 WHEREAS, On January 12, 1993, this fine gentleman nosed out 2-13 the competition and was elected the 71st speaker of the Texas House 2-14 of Representatives; since assuming the duties of his office, 2-15 Speaker Laney has worked diligently to bring about popular reform, 2-16 seeking to ensure that the citizens of Texas and their chosen 2-17 representatives will feel that their voices are being heard at the 2-18 State Capitol in Austin; and 2-19 WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous awards and accolades, he 2-20 has been honored as an outstanding legislator by Texas Business 2-21 Magazine on two occasions and he also has earned praise for his 2-22 alma mater as a distinguished alumnus of Texas Tech University; the 2-23 school is basking in glory this year, having achieved a clean sweep 2-24 of the men's and women's basketball championships as well as the 2-25 Texas speakership; and 2-26 WHEREAS, A man of such good humor that he should be selling 2-27 ice cream out of the back of his vehicle, Speaker Laney has long 3-1 endured the good-natured ribbing of his colleagues as a member of 3-2 this chamber, and it is indeed appropriate that this time-honored 3-3 tradition continue as he commemorates the 50th anniversary of his 3-4 birth; now, therefore, be it 3-5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 3-6 Legislature hereby congratulate the Honorable James E. "Pete" Laney 3-7 on the momentous occasion of his 50th birthday and extend warmest 3-8 best wishes to him for another happy and productive year; and, be 3-9 it further 3-10 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-11 prepared for Speaker Laney as an expression of high regard by his 3-12 colleagues in the Texas House of Representatives.