H.R. No. 471 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to 1-2 commend Joe Grubbs for the many significant contributions he has 1-3 made to the citizens of Waxahachie and Ellis County and 1-4 congratulate him on his most recent honor as the recipient of 1-5 Waxahachie's Citizen of the Year Award; and 1-6 WHEREAS, The son of James and Ila Mae Grubbs, he was born in 1-7 Cass County and settled in Waxahachie in 1972 after graduating from 1-8 Baylor Law School; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Grubbs has demonstrated 1-10 an abiding commitment to public service and began his noteworthy 1-11 career as an assistant attorney for Ellis County where he quickly 1-12 earned a well-deserved reputation for excellence based on his 1-13 professionalism, dedication, and expertise; and 1-14 WHEREAS, He ran for and won election as county judge in 1973 1-15 and at the time of his election, he was the youngest county judge 1-16 in Texas; he further distinguished himself by serving the longest 1-17 judicial tenure in county history; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Mr. Grubbs currently serves the citizens of Ellis 1-19 County with integrity and distinction as district attorney and has 1-20 gone on to contribute his wealth of expertise to the county's 1-21 redistricting efforts; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Mr. Grubbs also worked toward the betterment of the 1-23 local community as a member of the Waxahachie City Council in 1989 1-24 and 1990 and admirably served his fellow citizens as mayor from 2-1 1990 to 1993; his tenure was marked by many achievements, 2-2 highlighted by his diligent work to pass a $13 million bond 2-3 election that improved the city's water, street, and drainage 2-4 systems and enhanced the local police force; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Mr. Grubbs left an indelible mark on the Waxahachie 2-6 community through his service to the North Texas Council of 2-7 Governments Board and the Waxahachie Foundation Board, and he also 2-8 worked for the benefit of his fellow citizens as a valued member of 2-9 the Waxahachie Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Ellis 2-10 County Salvation Army, the YMCA Board, the Sims Library Board, and 2-11 the Baylor Medical Center/Waxahachie Board; and 2-12 WHEREAS, An accomplished vocalist, Mr. Grubbs developed his 2-13 musical abilities at an early age and now delights the members of 2-14 his congregation as a soloist with the choir of the First Baptist 2-15 Church; moreover, he has thrilled countless others with his 2-16 performances at Six Flags Over Texas and has been active with the 2-17 Waxahachie Community Theater for many years; and 2-18 WHEREAS, Throughout his many endeavors, he has enjoyed the 2-19 love and support of his gracious wife, Jo Beth Grubbs, and the 2-20 couple's three fine children, Paige, Amber, and Austin; and 2-21 WHEREAS, Mr. Grubbs is a man of great vision who has worked 2-22 tirelessly for the betterment of the Waxahachie and Ellis County 2-23 communities, and he is truly worthy of special recognition on the 2-24 occasion of his most recent honor; now, therefore, be it 2-25 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-26 Legislature hereby commend Joe Grubbs for the many significant 2-27 contributions he has made to the citizens of Waxahachie and Ellis 3-1 County and congratulate him on his most recent honor as the 3-2 recipient of Waxahachie's Citizen of the Year Award; and, be it 3-3 further 3-4 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-5 prepared for Mr. Grubbs as an expression of high esteem by the 3-6 Texas House of Representatives.