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.