H.R. No. 754 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor 1-2 Jack A. Whetsel for his extraordinary contributions to the city of 1-3 McAllen as a businessman and civic leader; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A native of McAlester, Oklahoma, Mr. Whetsel was 1-5 graduated from Baylor University with a bachelor's degree in 1-6 business administration; he enlisted in the United States Navy to 1-7 serve his country during World War II and rose to the rank of 1-8 lieutenant commander, earning a Bronze Star for his meritorious 1-9 service; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Since 1948, Mr. Whetsel has made his home in 1-11 McAllen, where he has skillfully balanced his time between running 1-12 a successful business and serving as an outstanding civic leader; 1-13 and 1-14 WHEREAS, A popular former mayor and city commission member, 1-15 Mr. Whetsel is the president of Broadway Hardware, Inc., and he has 1-16 provided vital leadership to numerous local entities that have 1-17 fueled the positive economic and social outlook of McAllen, 1-18 including the McAllen Industrial Board, the McAllen Trade Zone, the 1-19 chamber of commerce, the Citizens League, McAllen General Hospital, 1-20 McAllen State Bank, and the local utility and bridge boards; and 1-21 WHEREAS, A former McAllen Man of the Year, Mr. Whetsel has 1-22 won the widespread admiration and respect of the citizens of 1-23 McAllen for his many accomplishments and he has ably represented 1-24 their concerns as a past director of the Texas Municipal League and 2-1 as past president of the Mayors & Commissioners of Texas; and 2-2 WHEREAS, He also shares his time with a number of worthwhile 2-3 charitable organizations such as the United Fund and the Salvation 2-4 Army and has consistently promoted the interests of children 2-5 through his work as president of the Rio Grande Children's Home 2-6 Foundation, as a board member of St. Stephen's Episcopal School, as 2-7 chairman of the Hidalgo Child Welfare Board, and through his active 2-8 support of scouting; and 2-9 WHEREAS, This remarkable individual has displayed a firm 2-10 commitment to his faith throughout his numerous endeavors as a 2-11 member of the First Presbyterian Church and has served the members 2-12 of its congregation as a Sunday school teacher and church elder; he 2-13 also founded the McAllen Mayor's Prayer Breakfast and is the 2-14 director of the popular Chapel by the Sea at South Padre Island; 2-15 and 2-16 WHEREAS, At home, Mr. Whetsel enjoys a happy and rewarding 2-17 marriage to the former Martha Webb that has been blessed with a 2-18 daughter, Nevie Martha Owens, and two grandchildren, Nevie Michelle 2-19 and Glenn Allen; and 2-20 WHEREAS, Truly a pillar of his community, Jack Whetsel has 2-21 made many outstanding contributions that have earned him the 2-22 lasting regard of his friends and neighbors in McAllen and, in 2-23 light of his numerous accomplishments, he is indeed deserving of 2-24 special praise and legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it 2-25 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-26 Legislature hereby commend Jack A. Whetsel for his extraordinary 2-27 record of service to his community and extend warmest best wishes 3-1 to him for continued success and happiness; and, be it further 3-2 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-3 prepared for Mr. Whetsel as an expression of highest regard by the 3-4 Texas House of Representatives.