By Pitts                                               H.R. No. 172
       74R5467 SAJ-D
                                  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.