H.C.R. No. 189 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The recent passing of Harold B. Welch in April 1995, 1-2 at the age of 82, has brought a great loss to the many friends and 1-3 relatives of this esteemed gentleman; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Born November 12, 1912, in Ada, Oklahoma, Mr. Welch 1-5 was reared in Lubbock, where he would later attend Texas Tech 1-6 University; and 1-7 WHEREAS, This patriotic gentleman answered his nation's call 1-8 to arms during World War II and proudly served his country as a 1-9 member of the United States Army for four years, which included 16 1-10 months of action in the European Theater with the 555th 1-11 Anti-Aircraft Battalion; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Following his military service, Mr. Welch moved to 1-13 Midland, where he served as district manager of Universal C.I.T. 1-14 Corporation until 1959, when he formed a partnership with Lloyd 1-15 Waynick and began to build houses, eventually developing five 1-16 subdivisions in the Midland area over the course of the successful 1-17 business alliance; and 1-18 WHEREAS, A devoted family man, Mr. Welch was supported in all 1-19 his endeavors by his loving wife of 51 years, Jenna Hawkins Welch, 1-20 and his beloved daughter, Laura Bush, and he also enjoyed the 1-21 sincere admiration and friendship of his son-in-law, Governor 1-22 George W. Bush; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Highly respected throughout the Midland community, 1-24 Mr. Welch had an extensive circle of friends that he gained through 2-1 many years of participation in fraternal organizations as a 2-2 32nd-degree Mason and his involvement as a longtime member of the 2-3 First United Methodist Church of Midland; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Though he will be deeply missed by all who were 2-5 privileged to know him, Harold B. Welch made many lasting 2-6 contributions to the citizens of Midland, and his memory will long 2-7 endure in the hearts of the many people whose lives he touched; 2-8 now, therefore, be it 2-9 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-10 hereby pay tribute to the life of Harold B. Welch and extend 2-11 deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Jenna 2-12 Hawkins Welch; to his daughter and son-in-law, Laura Bush and 2-13 Governor George W. Bush; to his granddaughters, Barbara and Jenna 2-14 Bush; to his brother, Dr. Mark L. Welch; to his niece and nephew; 2-15 and to the many other friends and relatives of this fine man; and, 2-16 be it further 2-17 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-18 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-19 House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in 2-20 memory of Harold B. Welch.