H.R. No. 664
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, Raymond J. Snokhous was accorded a great honor when
    1-2  he was named Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic to the United
    1-3  States for the southern half of Texas, the first Czech consular
    1-4  position in this state since before World War II; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, Filling this prestigious position will enable
    1-6  Mr. Snokhous to promote trade, commerce, and tourism between the
    1-7  Lone Star State and the Czech Republic, which has made significant
    1-8  strides in Western commerce since reentering the free market in
    1-9  1990; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, With one of the largest Czech populations in the
   1-11  United States, Texas has been greatly influenced by Czech culture,
   1-12  cuisine, and customs; these contributions are readily apparent in
   1-13  many towns throughout the state, including Mr. Snokhous's hometown
   1-14  of West; and
   1-15        WHEREAS, Born into a family of distinguished Czech heritage,
   1-16  Mr. Snokhous grew up in a Czech-speaking household, and his fluency
   1-17  in the language and his familiarity with the culture will aid him
   1-18  greatly in his new position; and
   1-19        WHEREAS, After earning a bachelor's and a master's degree
   1-20  from the University of Houston, Mr. Snokhous obtained a juris
   1-21  doctor degree from South Texas College of Law; he then embarked on
   1-22  a successful 31-year career with Gulf Oil Corporation, and he
   1-23  currently serves as a senior vice president for Houston Industries
   1-24  Incorporated; and
    2-1        WHEREAS, Highly regarded throughout the Houston area for his
    2-2  extensive community involvement and civic leadership, this esteemed
    2-3  gentleman has served the Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Junior
    2-4  Achievement of Southeast Texas, the American Legislative Exchange
    2-5  Council, the Texas and United States chambers of commerce, and the
    2-6  United Way, among many other fine organizations; and
    2-7        WHEREAS, Throughout all his endeavors, he has enjoyed the
    2-8  love and support of his wife, Jolene, and their children, Mark
    2-9  Snokhous and Karen Nunneley; in recent years, their family has
   2-10  grown to include five cherished grandchildren, and Mr. Snokhous is
   2-11  working to preserve family history for them by restoring his
   2-12  father's blacksmith shop and home, as well as other historic
   2-13  buildings, in West; and
   2-14        WHEREAS, Raymond J. Snokhous's concerted efforts to preserve
   2-15  Czech heritage in this state and to enhance economic and trade
   2-16  opportunities between Texas and the Czech Republic have greatly
   2-17  benefited the Lone Star State, and his historic appointment as a
   2-18  representative of the Czech people is indeed worthy of highest
   2-19  praise and recognition; now, therefore, be it
   2-20        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-21  Legislature hereby honor Raymond J. Snokhous on his appointment as
   2-22  Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic to the United States for the
   2-23  southern half of Texas and extend to him warmest best wishes for
   2-24  continued success and happiness; and, be it further
   2-25        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-26  prepared for Mr. Snokhous as an expression of high regard by the
   2-27  Texas House of Representatives.