H.R. No. 376 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Hoover Carden is retiring as administrator of the 1-2 Cooperative Extension Program at Prairie View A&M University, 1-3 drawing to a close a distinguished career of public service that 1-4 has spanned more than 40 years; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A native of Freestone County, Mr. Carden received 1-6 undergraduate degrees in both animal science and agriculture 1-7 education and a master's degree in agriculture education from 1-8 Prairie View A&M University, and has continued to serve his alma 1-9 mater as treasurer of its National Alumni Association; and 1-10 WHEREAS, A dutiful and patriotic man, he enlisted in the 1-11 United States Army in 1954 and, after receiving his commission as a 1-12 second lieutenant, served admirably at military bases across the 1-13 country for five years; he maintained his commitment to the Army 1-14 after his active service had ended by serving as a captain in the 1-15 United States Army Reserve; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Mr. Carden began his career as a teacher and coach 1-17 at Burton Independent School District in 1959; in the following 1-18 year he became the extension agent for Marion, Montgomery, and 1-19 Jefferson counties, where he was well regarded for his expertise, 1-20 hard work, and dedication throughout his 12 years of service; and 1-21 WHEREAS, An esteemed member of his chosen profession, 1-22 Mr. Carden became administrator and director of the Cooperative 1-23 Extension Program at Prairie View A&M University in 1972 and has 1-24 ably served in that capacity for the past 23 years; and 2-1 WHEREAS, He also offered wise and thoughtful guidance as the 2-2 chair of the regional committee of the Rural Development Conference 2-3 for Predominately Black Colleges and served several terms on the 2-4 United States Department of Agriculture's Extension Committee on 2-5 Policy; morever, the department has honored him with its Superior 2-6 Service Award and Administrative Management Award for his 2-7 exceptional contributions; and 2-8 WHEREAS, This remarkable gentleman has further offered his 2-9 invaluable expertise to the County Agricultural Agents Association 2-10 and is an esteemed member of the national honorary extension 2-11 fraternity, Epsilon Sigma Phi, which bestowed on him its State 2-12 Distinguished Service Award in 1990; and 2-13 WHEREAS, In recognition of his outstanding contributions, 2-14 Mr. Carden has been honored with numerous prestigious accolades, 2-15 including the Distinguished Alumni Award from Prairie View A&M 2-16 University, the Texas Agricultural Superior Service Award, and the 2-17 Community Service Award from the Landowners Association of Texas, 2-18 to name but a few; and 2-19 WHEREAS, Throughout his many endeavors, he has enjoyed the 2-20 love and support of his gracious wife, Rena Denson Carden, and the 2-21 couple's five cherished daughters, Cassandra, Aretta, Helen, Diana, 2-22 and Lila; over the years, his close-knit family has continued to 2-23 grow, and he and his wife now enjoy the company of seven beloved 2-24 grandchildren; and 2-25 WHEREAS, Mr. Carden's outstanding contributions throughout 2-26 his years in public service have significantly benefited the people 2-27 of Texas, and his exceptional commitment is indeed deserving of 3-1 special recognition; now, therefore, be it 3-2 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 3-3 Legislature hereby honor Hoover Carden for his noteworthy service 3-4 as administrator of the Cooperative Extension Program at Prairie 3-5 View A&M University and extend to him warmest best wishes for a 3-6 happy and rewarding retirement; and, be it further 3-7 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-8 prepared for Mr. Carden as an expression of high esteem by the 3-9 Texas House of Representatives.