H.R. No. 518 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 rewarding years of marriage is indeed 1-3 a memorable occasion worthy of special praise and recognition; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Garland and Mary Lee Thompson Swann will have the 1-5 privilege of commemorating such an event in their lives when they 1-6 celebrate their golden wedding anniversary at a reception in their 1-7 honor on April 2, 1995; the reception will be hosted by their 1-8 children's families at the Community Center of Plains; and 1-9 WHEREAS, The couple began their courtship while Mrs. Swann 1-10 was working as a bookkeeper for Slaton Motor Company, but their 1-11 romance was interrupted by the exigencies of World War II; 1-12 Mr. Swann responded to the dire circumstances of the time by 1-13 enlisting in the United States Marine Corps, where he attained the 1-14 rank of master technical sergeant; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, at the time of 1-16 the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, Mr. Swann would go on to 1-17 contribute 48 months of distinguished service to the Allied war 1-18 effort, serving with valor and courage at the Battle of Midway, the 1-19 Marshall Islands, and throughout the South Pacific Theater; and 1-20 WHEREAS, They finally married on March 24, 1945, at the home 1-21 of Mrs. Swann's parents, and when Mr. Swann completed his military 1-22 obligations at air bases in California, the young couple moved to 1-23 Texas and settled on a farm near Plains; and 1-24 WHEREAS, Their earliest farming efforts were hampered by the 2-1 dry climate and a plentiful supply of rattlesnakes, but their 2-2 persistent efforts to establish an irrigation system eventually 2-3 paid off, and they continue to live on that land today; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Mr. Swann's agricultural concerns led him to help 2-5 organize a soil conservation office in the county, and in addition 2-6 to serving as one of that office's earliest directors, he also has 2-7 served the Yoakum County Co-op Gin, the local school board, and the 2-8 area's Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter; admired throughout 2-9 the county for his culinary skills as a cook for the annual Old 2-10 Settlers' reunion, Mr. Swann was honored by his neighbors for his 2-11 support of the FFA program and agriculture in the region when he 2-12 earned the title of Conservation Farmer of Yoakum County in 1971; 2-13 and 2-14 WHEREAS, Despite the many demands of operating a farm and 2-15 rearing a family, Mrs. Swann has distinguished herself in the 2-16 community as a member and former president of GFWC Tsa Mo Ga Study 2-17 Club; both Mr. and Mrs. Swann are longtime members of First Baptist 2-18 Church, and their enduring relationship has been an inspiration to 2-19 their many friends in that congregation; and 2-20 WHEREAS, Their marriage was blessed with four children, 2-21 Harold Lee, Rex, and twin daughters Gay and Kay, and in recent 2-22 years this loving family has grown to include seven grandchildren, 2-23 Kristi, Kari, Jason, Ryan, Fen, Ashley, and Kolten; moreover, the 2-24 whole family is anxiously awaiting the arrival of an eighth 2-25 grandchild, and his or her appearance in August 1995 will be yet 2-26 another grand cause for celebration; and 2-27 WHEREAS, For half a century, Garland and Mary Lee Swann have 3-1 shared a marriage filled with many happy times and cherished family 3-2 memories; built on a foundation of mutual love, trust, and respect, 3-3 their remarkable union is indeed worthy of highest praise and 3-4 recognition; now, therefore, be it 3-5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 3-6 Legislature hereby congratulate Garland and Mary Lee Swann on the 3-7 occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary and extend to them 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 Mr. and Mrs. Swann as an expression of highest regard 3-12 by the Texas House of Representatives.