By Laney, Craddick                                   H.C.R. No. 189
       74R12074 PAN-D
                              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.