H.R. No. 42
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The passing of Representative Bill Blackwood on June
    1-2  25, 1993, at the age of 56, has brought a great loss to the members
    1-3  of this chamber and to the many other friends and relatives of this
    1-4  esteemed gentleman; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, A native Texan, he was born in Dallas on September
    1-6  11, 1936, and was graduated from Texas A&M University in 1960 with
    1-7  a bachelor of science degree in industrial technology; and
    1-8        WHEREAS, Following his graduation, Mr. Blackwood took as his
    1-9  bride the former Mary Pendergrass of Horatio, Arkansas, and their
   1-10  marriage was blessed by the birth of two children, Jennie Renee and
   1-11  Scott; and
   1-12        WHEREAS, This patriotic gentleman proudly served his country
   1-13  as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force before returning to his
   1-14  home in Mesquite, where he put his engineering skills to good use
   1-15  as the founder of Production Control Services; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, Having established himself as a capable businessman
   1-17  in the community, Mr. Blackwood turned his attention to public
   1-18  service and was elected to serve as a member of the Mesquite City
   1-19  Council; it was during his six years as a city councilman that
   1-20  Mr. Blackwood first developed a strong interest in law enforcement
   1-21  as evidenced by his frequent accompaniment of officers on patrol
   1-22  for the Mesquite Police Department; and
   1-23        WHEREAS, In 1984, Mr. Blackwood was elected by the citizens
   1-24  of District 105 to represent their interests in Austin as a member
    2-1  of the House of Representatives and over the course of the next
    2-2  decade, this highly principled gentleman served his constituents
    2-3  with the utmost integrity and distinction; and
    2-4        WHEREAS, In his role as a state representative, Mr. Blackwood
    2-5  continued to be a staunch supporter of law enforcement, sponsoring
    2-6  a wealth of legislation in this area that included a measure to
    2-7  provide death benefits for the families of law enforcement officers
    2-8  killed in the line of duty; and
    2-9        WHEREAS, In 1987, his vision of an institute designed to
   2-10  provide Texas' law enforcement officers with the most comprehensive
   2-11  instruction in modern policing available anywhere in the world was
   2-12  brought to fruition with the passage of legislation establishing
   2-13  the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas; since that time,
   2-14  his legislative colleagues have chosen to rename the institute in
   2-15  his honor in recognition of the many significant  contributions he
   2-16  made to the field of law enforcement in Texas; and
   2-17        WHEREAS, Throughout his exceptional tenure in the house, Bill
   2-18  Blackwood earned the respect and admiration of all who were
   2-19  privileged to know him; a man of great character, determination,
   2-20  and courage, his memory will surely live on for many years to come
   2-21  through the lasting legacy of achievement he leaves behind; now,
   2-22  therefore, be it
   2-23        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-24  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life and service of Bill
   2-25  Blackwood and extend deepest sympathy to his beloved wife of 33
   2-26  years, Mary Blackwood, and to his children, Jennie Blackwood
   2-27  Turnell and Scott Blackwood; 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 adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
    3-4  an esteemed colleague, Bill Blackwood.