By Stiles, Zbranek                                    H.C.R. No. 52
       74R4578 SRD-F
                                 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, The passing of James Ronald "Ronnie" McWaters, on
    1-2  December 21, 1994, at the age of 51, has brought a great loss to
    1-3  the many friends and relatives of this distinguished and
    1-4  public-spirited Texan; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, Mr. McWaters was a longtime resident of Cleveland
    1-6  and was well regarded throughout the community for his successful
    1-7  career with McWaters Trucking and for his deep commitment to public
    1-8  service; and
    1-9        WHEREAS, A man of diverse talents and interests, he also
   1-10  enjoyed a successful association with Radio Station KSBJ, which he
   1-11  ably served as a board member and president; and
   1-12        WHEREAS, Mr. McWaters continually made a positive impact on
   1-13  his community through his distinguished career in public life,
   1-14  which began in 1978 when he was appointed to serve the remainder of
   1-15  an unexpired term on the Cleveland City Council; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, Widely respected for his hard work and dedication,
   1-17  he was first elected mayor of the city in 1981 and earned
   1-18  reelection to serve his constituents with integrity and distinction
   1-19  for the next six years; and
   1-20        WHEREAS, Although he decided not to seek reelection to the
   1-21  mayor's office in 1987, he returned to elective office in 1991,
   1-22  when he was elected to the city council; and
   1-23        WHEREAS, A recognized leader in the areas of economic
   1-24  development and foreign trade, he ushered the city into a period of
    2-1  vibrant growth and helped it to become a leading force in the East
    2-2  Texas region; and
    2-3        WHEREAS, Mr. McWaters continued to make many substantial
    2-4  contributions to his community through his leadership efforts with
    2-5  the Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club, and
    2-6  he also was an ardent supporter of Cleveland's popular Dairy Day
    2-7  celebration; and
    2-8        WHEREAS, He was guided throughout life's endeavors by an
    2-9  abiding religious faith, which he eloquently expressed as a member
   2-10  of the First Assembly of God Church-Cleveland, where he also served
   2-11  on the board of directors, and most recently as an active member of
   2-12  the Living Word Church in Conroe; he further worked in behalf of
   2-13  the religious community through his involvement with Heritage
   2-14  Christian Academy, which he served both as a volunteer and as a
   2-15  school board member; and
   2-16        WHEREAS, Mr. McWaters was a man of great vision who dedicated
   2-17  much of his life to serving the needs of his community; though his
   2-18  special presence will be missed by all who knew him, his spirit
   2-19  will surely live on in the hearts and minds of the many people
   2-20  whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it
   2-21        RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
   2-22  hereby pay tribute to the life of James Ronald "Ronnie" McWaters
   2-23  and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his
   2-24  wife, Karen McWaters; to his sons, Brent and Adam McWaters; to his
   2-25  parents, James and Lorene McWaters; to his sisters, Carolyn Free
   2-26  and Trisha McWaters; and to his many other friends and relatives;
   2-27  and, be it further
    3-1        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
    3-2  prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
    3-3  House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in
    3-4  memory of James Ronald "Ronnie" McWaters.