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.