By: Turner, Bob H.R. No. 439 73R7275 PAN-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor 1-2 our colleague, G. E. "Buddy" West, and Shirley Jean West on the 1-3 joyous occasion of their 37th wedding anniversary; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Representative West and the former Shirley Jean 1-5 Porter were united in marriage on March 22, 1956, at a ceremony 1-6 conducted by the Reverend H. E. Gregory at the First Baptist Church 1-7 in Odessa; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Their wedding was the culmination of a dream for the 1-9 childhood sweethearts who had been classmates in school in the 1-10 community of North Cowden since the age of nine; and 1-11 WHEREAS, The young couple began going steady on March 20, 1-12 1953, and became engaged in June 1954; during their senior year of 1-13 high school, they took a school field trip together to El Paso and 1-14 were joined on the outing by Buddy's parents; in fact, Buddy and 1-15 Shirley might have been celebrating their 38th anniversary this 1-16 year if he hadn't chickened out of the original plan, which was to 1-17 cross the border during this trip and be married in Mexico; and 1-18 WHEREAS, He was obviously forgiven for his case of cold feet, 1-19 as they continued their courtship throughout the school year and 1-20 were graduated together from Odessa High School in May 1955; and 1-21 WHEREAS, While making plans for their future, the couple were 1-22 fortunate to enjoy the complete support of their families; Buddy's 1-23 parents were so enamored of his intended that he was allowed to use 1-24 the car only if he had a date with her and, when the groom-to-be 2-1 was unable to take time off from work to obtain the marriage 2-2 license, young Shirley was accompanied by her future father-in-law 2-3 to obtain the needed document; and 2-4 WHEREAS, The close-knit relationship that Buddy and Shirley 2-5 shared with their parents has been continued in the next generation 2-6 of the West family; their marriage has been blessed with three 2-7 children, Richie West, Lori Bennington, and Ami Satterwhite, and 2-8 they take great pride in their beloved grandchildren, Kelsee and 2-9 Shelby West and Scotty Satterwhite; and 2-10 WHEREAS, For 37 years, this remarkable couple have shared a 2-11 strong and lasting marriage filled with many happy times and 2-12 cherished family memories; built on a strong foundation of mutual 2-13 love, trust, and respect, their life together has been a source of 2-14 joy and inspiration to the many friends and family of this 2-15 fortunate pair; now, therefore, be it 2-16 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-17 Legislature hereby congratulate the Honorable G. E. "Buddy" West 2-18 and Shirley Jean Porter West on the occasion of their 37th wedding 2-19 anniversary and extend sincere best wishes to them for many more 2-20 years of continued happiness; and, be it further 2-21 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-22 prepared for them as an expression of high regard by the Texas 2-23 House of Representatives.