By Conley H.R. No. 338 74R7412 KMP-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The wedding anniversary of two outstanding Texans 1-2 who have shared 50 happy and fulfilling years of marriage is truly 1-3 a momentous event worthy of special recognition; and 1-4 WHEREAS, On February 4, 1995, Roby and Nathaniel Sanders of 1-5 San Antonio commemorated one such special event in their lives when 1-6 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary by renewing their 1-7 marriage vows before their friends, children, and grandchildren; 1-8 the ceremony, held at Bethel A.M.E. Church, was followed by a 1-9 delightful reception at the Fort Sam Houston Officers Club, where 1-10 friends and family gathered to reflect on the couple's past and 1-11 look forward to their future; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Sergeant and Mrs. Sanders first met in Birmingham, 1-13 Alabama, in 1941, when they attended the wedding of mutual friends; 1-14 they immediately struck up a friendship, and later a courtship, but 1-15 found it difficult to see each other since they lived on opposite 1-16 ends of town; and 1-17 WHEREAS, The distance between them grew when Mr. Sanders 1-18 answered his country's call to arms during World War II, joining 1-19 the Army Air Corps, while his wife-to-be pursued her education as a 1-20 student at Miles College; during this time, the couple continued 1-21 their long-distance romance by writing letters and counting the 1-22 days until Mr. Sanders' next military leave; and 1-23 WHEREAS, This remarkable couple was united in holy matrimony 1-24 on January 28, 1945, at a small ceremony held in the home of the 2-1 bride's parents and performed by the Reverend F. D. Mayweather; 2-2 following the service, the newlyweds celebrated their special day 2-3 with friends and family, partaking of homemade cake and ice cream; 2-4 and 2-5 WHEREAS, This simple and charming start to their marriage 2-6 quickly gave way to a whirlwind life of international 2-7 globetrotting; Sergeant Sanders embarked on a postwar career in the 2-8 United States Air Force, while his wife successfully endured the 2-9 chaos of military life on the move, building a loving and stable 2-10 home in which the couple raised two beloved daughters, Jo Nell and 2-11 Cather; and 2-12 WHEREAS, Later in their marriage, Mrs. Sanders joined the 2-13 staff at Lackland Independent School District, while her husband 2-14 entered the civilian workforce as an employee with the United 2-15 Services Automobile Association; and 2-16 WHEREAS, Following their retirement from the world of work, 2-17 Sergeant and Mrs. Sanders have enjoyed traveling together, going on 2-18 fishing trips, and maintaining their lovely garden; they also take 2-19 immense pride in their two granddaughters, Michelle and Dyanna; and 2-20 WHEREAS, Since exchanging their vows half a century ago, this 2-21 devoted couple has enjoyed an enduring relationship that has grown 2-22 in love and mutual respect with each passing year, and Sergeant and 2-23 Mrs. Sanders remain a source of delight and inspiration to the 2-24 friends with whom they have shared the richness of their life 2-25 together; and 2-26 WHEREAS, Still looking forward to each day with the same 2-27 enthusiasm and sense of adventure that first sparked their romance, 3-1 Sergeant and Mrs. Sanders are deservedly enjoying the benefits of 3-2 their 50-year union with great joy and happiness; they are indeed 3-3 worthy of the highest praise and recognition as they celebrate this 3-4 significant milestone in their marriage; now, therefore, be it 3-5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 3-6 Legislature hereby congratulate Roby and Nathaniel Sanders on the 3-7 joyous occasion of their golden wedding anniversary and extend 3-8 warmest best wishes for many more years of continued happiness; 3-9 and, be it further 3-10 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-11 prepared for Sergeant and Mrs. Sanders as an expression of highest 3-12 regard by the Texas House of Representatives.