By Pitts H.R. No. 702 74R11127 WMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of W. H. "Bill" Larkin on April 18, 1-2 1995, has brought a great loss to the many friends and relatives of 1-3 this respected Waxahachie community leader; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Mr. Larkin demonstrated exceptional business acumen 1-5 as the owner of the Larkin Packer Company in the 1950s and 1960s, 1-6 and his exemplary efforts during that time brought a high level of 1-7 success to that respected local enterprise; and 1-8 WHEREAS, A dedicated civic leader as well, he served with 1-9 distinction as mayor of Waxahachie from 1969 until 1976, and his 1-10 inspirational leadership in that demanding role helped to usher in 1-11 a new era of prosperity for this thriving Central Texas community; 1-12 and 1-13 WHEREAS, This outstanding individual gave freely of his time 1-14 and resources to establish the Larkin Scholarship Fund and, through 1-15 that worthy endeavor, more than 40 students have been allowed to 1-16 pursue their higher education; Mr. Larkin and his family also came 1-17 to the aid of the Sims Library, enabling that facility to create a 1-18 much-needed additional wing; and 1-19 WHEREAS, In addition, Mr. Larkin served the needs of his 1-20 fellow citizens through his active involvement in such commendable 1-21 organizations as the Waxahachie Foundation, the W. C. Tenery 1-22 Community Hospital Board, the Waxahachie YMCA, the Waxahachie 1-23 Chamber of Commerce, the Penn Park Pool, and the Waxahachie Rotary 1-24 Club; and 2-1 WHEREAS, W. H. "Bill" Larkin was a man of rare wisdom and 2-2 generosity, and although his presence is gone from us now, his 2-3 remarkable spirit will surely live on in the hearts of the many 2-4 people whose lives he touched during his time on this earth; now, 2-5 therefore, be it 2-6 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-7 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of W. H. "Bill" Larkin 2-8 and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his 2-9 wife, Ora Belle Larkin; to his children, Kirk Larkin, Bill Larkin, 2-10 Jr., Ann Larkin Esselman, and Dr. Michael Larkin; to his 2-11 stepdaughters, Mollie Wallace Standish and Karen Jane Wallace; to 2-12 his brother, J. J. Larkin III; and to the many other friends and 2-13 relatives of this esteemed gentleman; and, be it further 2-14 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-15 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-16 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-17 W. H. "Bill" Larkin.