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.