By Goolsby                                             H.R. No. 565
       74R8610 BNL-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, Former Governor William P. Clements, Jr., will
    1-2  celebrate his 78th birthday on April 13, 1995, and the members of
    1-3  this chamber are proud to join with his family and friends in
    1-4  recognizing this grand occasion; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, A native Texan, Governor Clements was born and
    1-6  reared in Dallas, where he continued his education at Southern
    1-7  Methodist University; like many Texans of his generation, he sought
    1-8  his fortune in the oil fields as a young man, working as a
    1-9  roughneck and driller in the late 1930s; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, His success in the oil industry led him to found
   1-11  SEDCO, Inc., in 1947, and he served as chairman of the board and
   1-12  chief executive officer of that company for many years; he later
   1-13  used his vast expertise and experience to serve his colleagues as
   1-14  president of the American Association of Oil Well Drilling
   1-15  Contractors; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, Governor Clements began his eminent career in public
   1-17  service as deputy secretary of the United States Department of
   1-18  Defense from 1973 to 1977; he served on presidential commissions
   1-19  examining issues of strategic forces and Central American conflict,
   1-20  and in recognition of his outstanding efforts, he was awarded the
   1-21  department's Distinguished Public Service medal and received the
   1-22  Bronze Palm from President Gerald Ford; and
   1-23        WHEREAS, He served as governor of Texas from 1979 to 1982,
   1-24  and again from 1987 to 1990, becoming the state's first Republican
    2-1  governor since Reconstruction; his dedication and vision during a
    2-2  time of unprecedented economic and political change inspired his
    2-3  colleagues to elect him to leadership positions in the Southern
    2-4  Governors Association and the National Governors Association; and
    2-5        WHEREAS, During his second term, Governor Clements was at the
    2-6  forefront of efforts to repair and restore the historic State
    2-7  Capitol, which had suffered under the strain of  overcrowding and a
    2-8  recent fire; on April 21, 1995, after nine years of hard work and
    2-9  painstaking attention to detail, the Capitol Rededication Ceremony
   2-10  will officially open a new chapter in this building's history, and
   2-11  all Texans will be able to enjoy the fruits of Governor Clements's
   2-12  most significant public works project; and
   2-13        WHEREAS, Throughout his many endeavors, this distinguished
   2-14  gentleman has enjoyed the love and support of his gracious wife,
   2-15  Rita Crocker Clements, and two children, B. Gill Clements and Nancy
   2-16  Clements Seay; and
   2-17        WHEREAS, This year marks the 150th year of Texas statehood,
   2-18  and as we commemorate this august occasion it is only fitting that
   2-19  we pause to honor some of the great leaders that have guided Texas
   2-20  throughout its proud history; William P. Clements, Jr., is one such
   2-21  distinguished leader, and the members of this chamber are proud to
   2-22  recognize his many contributions to the Lone Star State on the
   2-23  occasion of his birthday; now, therefore, be it
   2-24        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-25  Legislature hereby congratulate the Honorable William P. Clements,
   2-26  Jr., on the occasion of his birthday and extend to him warmest best
   2-27  wishes for many more years of success and happiness; and, be it
    3-1  further
    3-2        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
    3-3  prepared for Governor Clements as an expression of high regard by
    3-4  the Texas House of Representatives.