By Counts                                              H.R. No. 534
       74R9458 SAJ-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor
    1-2  John W. "Bill" Longley for the many significant contributions he
    1-3  has made to the citizens of Stamford; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, A resident of that city for the past 63 years, he
    1-5  has been well regarded by all who have known him as a dedicated and
    1-6  industrious member of the community, and he served his fellow
    1-7  citizens with integrity and distinction as a member of the Stamford
    1-8  City Council for four years; and
    1-9        WHEREAS, His tenure was marked by many accomplishments, the
   1-10  most noteworthy of which was the construction of Lake Stamford; the
   1-11  lake will ensure that the community will have an adequate water
   1-12  supply well into the coming century; and
   1-13        WHEREAS, Mr. Longley continued to work for the betterment of
   1-14  the community outside of public office, serving for six years as
   1-15  chairman of the city's Cemetery Board; his reputation for
   1-16  civic-mindedness was further established by his long tenure as an
   1-17  esteemed board member of the Texas Commission for the Blind; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, Mr. Longley is well regarded in political circles
   1-19  for his exemplary service to the Democratic party, and he
   1-20  contributed greatly to its strength in the region as party chairman
   1-21  of Jones County in 1975; and
   1-22        WHEREAS, Mr. Longley began his deeply fulfilling service to
   1-23  the people of the 17th Congressional District as manager of U. S.
   1-24  Representative Charlie Stenholm's campaign in 1978, and he capably
    2-1  and efficiently responded to constituents' concerns as manager of
    2-2  the congressman's district office for 16 years until his retirement
    2-3  on March 31, 1995; and
    2-4        WHEREAS, Throughout his lifetime, he has demonstrated an
    2-5  abiding commitment to civic concerns, and he marshalled his
    2-6  abundant energy to serve as chairman of Stamford Goodfellows for
    2-7  five years; he also worked to address issues vital to the local
    2-8  business community as president of the Stamford Chamber of
    2-9  Commerce, which honored him for his many outstanding contributions
   2-10  as its Man of the Year in 1992; and
   2-11        WHEREAS, A warm and caring individual, he has enjoyed the
   2-12  many close friendships he has formed over the years as a 33-year
   2-13  member of the Stamford Lions Club, and he has graciously served his
   2-14  fellow members both as president and as district governor; he was
   2-15  honored for his outstanding work with the Ambassador of Good Will
   2-16  Award, which is the highest accolade bestowed by Lions
   2-17  International, and he further distinguished himself by being the
   2-18  first Texan to receive this prestigious honor without holding an
   2-19  international office with the organization; and
   2-20        WHEREAS, Mr. Longley is a man who has worked tirelessly for
   2-21  the betterment of his community throughout his distinguished
   2-22  lifetime, and he is truly worthy of special praise and recognition
   2-23  at this time; now, therefore, be it
   2-24        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-25  Legislature hereby commend John W. "Bill" Longley for the many
   2-26  significant contributions he has made to the citizens of Stamford
   2-27  and extend to him warmest best wishes for continued success and
    3-1  happiness in the future; and, be it further
    3-2        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
    3-3  prepared for Mr. Longley as an expression of high regard by the
    3-4  Texas House of Representatives.