H.R. No. 524
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, For more than 50 years, Tom Gordon has faithfully
    1-2  served his fellow Texans as an attorney, as a public servant, and
    1-3  as a leader in the oil and gas industry, and his many contributions
    1-4  to this state are indeed worthy of special recognition; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, He began his distinguished legal career after
    1-6  earning both his undergraduate and law degrees at The University of
    1-7  Texas at Austin, and his first professional position was that of
    1-8  legal investigator and assistant attorney general for state
    1-9  Attorney General William McCraw; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, His career was interrupted by the exigencies of
   1-11  World War II, and this patriotic Texan answered his country's call
   1-12  to arms by joining the staff of the War Production Board; he
   1-13  subsequently enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps and
   1-14  served with valor and distinction until 1946; and
   1-15        WHEREAS, When the war ended, he returned to his law practice
   1-16  in Lubbock and later joined the prestigious firm of Vinson, Elkins,
   1-17  Weems and Francis in Houston; he moved to Abilene in 1950 and,
   1-18  while continuing his law practice, embarked on a noteworthy career
   1-19  in the oil and gas industry; and
   1-20        WHEREAS, A former president of the Abilene Bar Association,
   1-21  Mr. Gordon has utilized his business acumen and leadership skills
   1-22  as a valued member of the Independent Petroleum Association of
   1-23  America, serving on its Executive Committee, Import Policy and
   1-24  Natural Gas Committee, and Liaison Committee; and
    2-1        WHEREAS, Moreover, he is an active member of the Democratic
    2-2  Party who has held many offices at the local, state, and national
    2-3  levels, including a committee membership at the 1968 National
    2-4  Democratic Convention in Chicago; and
    2-5        WHEREAS, Highly regarded for his intelligence, integrity, and
    2-6  dedication, Mr. Gordon was appointed to the State Land Board of
    2-7  Texas by Governor John Connally in 1967; he was later appointed
    2-8  chairman of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, and in that
    2-9  capacity he served four different governors in 11 years; and
   2-10        WHEREAS, A devout member of St. Paul United Methodist Church
   2-11  and a 32nd-degree Mason, Mr. Gordon has been ably supported in his
   2-12  many ventures by his gracious wife, Frances Lawlis Gordon, his
   2-13  daughter and son-in-law, Brooke Gordon Cato and Colonel George
   2-14  Cato, and his three granddaughters, Leith, Ann, and Maggie Cato;
   2-15  furthermore, Mr. Gordon has imparted his philosophy of public
   2-16  service to a new generation as a mentor to his nephew,
   2-17  Representative Tony Goolsby; and
   2-18        WHEREAS, Throughout his endeavors, Tom Gordon has sought to
   2-19  serve and protect the best interests of his fellow Texans, and his
   2-20  devoted efforts on their behalf have earned him the respect and
   2-21  admiration of all who know him; now, therefore, be it
   2-22        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-23  Legislature hereby honor Tom Gordon for his outstanding service to
   2-24  the State of Texas and extend to him warmest best wishes for many
   2-25  more years of continued success; and, be it further
   2-26        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-27  prepared for Mr. Gordon as an expression of high regard by the
    3-1  Texas House of Representatives.