By:  Dutton                                            H.R. No. 533
       73R8211 BNL-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, J. Ray Wilson recently retired from his position as
    1-2  employee relations manager for Conoco, Inc., thus bringing to a
    1-3  close his illustrious 25-year career with that company; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, A native of Louisiana, Mr. Wilson served his country
    1-5  as a third class petty officer in the United States Navy from 1956
    1-6  to 1960 before enrolling at Texas Southern University; after
    1-7  earning a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1965, he
    1-8  worked at the United California Bank in Los Angeles before joining
    1-9  Conoco in 1967; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, His supervisors at Conoco's headquarters in Houston
   1-11  quickly recognized his intelligence and abilities and asked
   1-12  Mr. Wilson to serve as the assistant to the manager of personnel
   1-13  services; less than a year later, he was promoted to the position
   1-14  of recruitment and placement representative, and in 1979 he was
   1-15  selected to participate in Conoco's prestigious Indiana Executive
   1-16  Program; and
   1-17        WHEREAS, This astute individual eventually rose to the
   1-18  position of manager in the employee relations division, but
   1-19  Mr. Wilson's notable career achievements extended far beyond the
   1-20  confines of this position; and
   1-21        WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson was a founding member and advisor to the
   1-22  executive board of The Network Group, a professional organization
   1-23  for Conoco's African-American employees, and served as coordinator
   1-24  for the company's United Way campaign and Junior Achievement
    2-1  activities; he also helped organize many of the company's holiday
    2-2  events for employees and their families, and he received numerous
    2-3  awards for his invaluable participation in the company's Speakers
    2-4  Program; and
    2-5        WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson also has been active in support of many
    2-6  community and charitable organizations; he has served on the boards
    2-7  of the Houston Area Urban League and the Julia C. Hester House, and
    2-8  he has given selflessly of his time and talent to such fine
    2-9  organizations as SER-Jobs for Progress, United Way of the Texas
   2-10  Gulf Coast, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and the Fort Bend
   2-11  Independent School District; and
   2-12        WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson has been recognized on several occasions
   2-13  for his dedication to community service; last year, he received a
   2-14  Community Service Award for his work with the Channel 8
   2-15  Tele-Auction, a fundraiser for Houston's public television station,
   2-16  and on March 27, 1993, he was honored by his peers at a ceremony
   2-17  commemorating his retirement; and
   2-18        WHEREAS, Throughout his many years as a civic leader,
   2-19  Mr. Wilson has enjoyed the love and support of his wife, Dorothy;
   2-20  together, they have raised two children, Taleia and Marcus, who
   2-21  have been a continuing source of pride and joy to their parents;
   2-22  and
   2-23        WHEREAS, A man who has devoted much of his life to helping
   2-24  both his coworkers and the people of his community, J. Ray Wilson
   2-25  has been a leader in a noble tradition, and his compassion and
   2-26  wisdom will surely resonate in the lives of all who admire and
   2-27  respect this fine gentleman; now, therefore, be it
    3-1        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
    3-2  Legislature hereby commend J. Ray Wilson on his outstanding career
    3-3  and dedication to community service and extend to him warmest best
    3-4  wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement; and, be it further
    3-5        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
    3-6  forwarded to J. Ray Wilson as an expression of high regard by the
    3-7  Texas House of Representatives.