H.R. No. 172 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor 1-2 E. A. "Gene" Page for the many significant contributions he has 1-3 made to his community as both a businessman and civic leader; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A native of Midlothian, Mr. Page was graduated from 1-5 the local high school in 1938 and went on to develop a partnership 1-6 with his brother to establish the community's Western Auto Store; 1-7 and 1-8 WHEREAS, Like many others of his generation, he was a dutiful 1-9 and patriotic man who came to the aid of his country during World 1-10 War II, serving as a sergeant in the United States Army's 144th 1-11 Infantry Division; and 1-12 WHEREAS, After demonstrating the abilities needed to become 1-13 an officer, he was commissioned a lieutenant and, just before June 1-14 6, 1944, was selected to personally deliver instructions for the 1-15 D-Day invasion to General George S. Patton; he served his country 1-16 honorably in the European Theater, and in recognition of his 1-17 outstanding military service, he was decorated with several medals 1-18 of commendation and valor; and 1-19 WHEREAS, When the war ended, Mr. Page embarked on a deeply 1-20 fulfilling 50-year career in finance as an employee of the Pacific 1-21 Finance Branch of Trans America; widely respected for his 1-22 professionalism, expertise, and dedication, he received a series of 1-23 promotions and became a regional manager over several state loan 1-24 offices; and 2-1 WHEREAS, This distinguished gentleman was named vice 2-2 president of the new Midlothian National Bank in the early 1980s, 2-3 and today at age 74, he maintains an active role in the banking 2-4 industry as the vice president of Brazos Bank in Midlothian; in 2-5 recognition of the many significant contributions he has made to 2-6 his chosen profession, he was awarded the Presidential Citation 2-7 from the National Bankers Association; and 2-8 WHEREAS, He also has worked toward the betterment of his 2-9 community through his service to numerous worthy organizations, 2-10 including the Midlothian Chamber of Commerce, the Cemetery 2-11 Association, the Visiting Nursing Association, the Senior Citizen's 2-12 Center, and Rotary International, where he has distinguished 2-13 himself as a Paul Harris Fellow; he helped in the community-wide 2-14 effort to build the local civic center during the early 1950s and 2-15 has remained an active supporter of the Civic Center Association 2-16 ever since; and 2-17 WHEREAS, Mr. Page enjoys many close friendships that he has 2-18 formed throughout the years in leadership positions with the Order 2-19 of the Eastern Star, the Shriners, and the American Legion; an 2-20 active member of the Midlothian chapter of the Masonic Order, he 2-21 contributed generously to the construction of its new building in 2-22 the late 1960s and continues to maintain an active involvement in 2-23 many of the organization's philanthropic activities; and 2-24 WHEREAS, A deeply religious man, he receives his spiritual 2-25 strength as a devout member of the First Methodist Church; a former 2-26 member of the choir, he has continued to serve the members of his 2-27 religious community through leadership positions on a variety of 3-1 committees, and he was instrumental in the construction of the 3-2 church's new sanctuary in 1965; and 3-3 WHEREAS, Throughout life's many endeavors, he has enjoyed the 3-4 love and support of his devoted wife of 49 years, Maxine Ralston 3-5 Page; and 3-6 WHEREAS, Mr. Page is a man of great energies and enthusiasm 3-7 who has worked tirelessly for the betterment of his community, and 3-8 his remarkable commitment serves as a source of inspiration to all 3-9 who are privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it 3-10 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 3-11 Legislature hereby commend E. A. "Gene" Page for his many 3-12 outstanding contributions to the Midlothian community; and, be it 3-13 further 3-14 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-15 prepared for Mr. Page as an expression of high regard from the 3-16 Texas House of Representatives.