By Laney H.R. No. 177 74R3733 PAN-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 James E. (Jim) Nugent, whose distinguished public service over the 1-3 course of four decades has greatly enhanced the lives of many 1-4 Texans; and 1-5 WHEREAS, An attorney and engineer by profession, Mr. Nugent's 1-6 life is blessed by his wife, Billie Nugent, his children, Nan and 1-7 Skip, and his five grandchildren; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Engaged in the private practice of law for many 1-9 years in the picturesque community of Kerrville, Mr. Nugent began 1-10 his public service career by serving as the Kerr County Attorney 1-11 for six years in the 1950s; and 1-12 WHEREAS, In 1961, he was elected to the Texas House of 1-13 Representatives, in which capacity he would work diligently over 1-14 the course of 18 years to secure the passage of a new penal code, 1-15 Texas' first comprehensive ethics bill, and important legislation 1-16 on highway funding, public school finance, truth-in-taxation, 1-17 property tax reform, and numerous other issues; and 1-18 WHEREAS, During his tenure in the house, Mr. Nugent 1-19 represented the citizens of 17 Hill Country counties and counted 1-20 among his constituents two Texas governors, one Texas lieutenant 1-21 governor, three speakers of the Texas House of Representatives, one 1-22 speaker of the United States House of Representatives, two vice 1-23 presidents of the United States, and one United States president; 1-24 and 2-1 WHEREAS, Mr. Nugent's stentorian style, knowledge of the 2-2 rules, and menacing demeanor in debate were second to none and 2-3 earned him nicknames not appropriate for official documents; and 2-4 WHEREAS, In 1979 Mr. Nugent was appointed by Governor Dolph 2-5 Briscoe to serve on the Texas Railroad Commission; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Under his leadership, the commission demonstrated 2-7 unflagging dedication to conservation of the state's oil and 2-8 natural gas resources through sound engineering and recovery 2-9 principles, instituted a new natural gas proration system with 2-10 significant favorable impacts on the economy of Texas, modernized 2-11 information technologies, and granted the public dramatically 2-12 improved access to information; and 2-13 WHEREAS, Mr. Nugent also was among the first to promote 2-14 incentive measures for oil and gas production that have made Texas 2-15 a national leader; and 2-16 WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Jim Nugent exhibited an 2-17 unwavering dedication to the public interest; now, therefore, be it 2-18 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-19 Legislature hereby honor Jim Nugent for his exceptional service to 2-20 the people of Texas and extend to him and to his charming wife, 2-21 Billie, sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; 2-22 and, be it further 2-23 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-24 prepared for Mr. Nugent as an expression of high regard by the 2-25 Texas House of Representatives.