H.R. No. 793
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor
    1-2  James E.  Nelson for his enduring contributions to public education
    1-3  in Texas; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, A graduate of Odessa Permian High School, Mr. Nelson
    1-5  pursued his higher education at Texas Christian University and The
    1-6  University of Texas at Arlington, which awarded him a bachelor's
    1-7  degree in 1972, and he continued his pursuit of academic excellence
    1-8  at the Texas Tech University School of Law, earning his law degree
    1-9  there in 1976; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, An attorney by profession, Mr. Nelson began his
   1-11  legal career with the law offices of R. E. Richards in Hobbs, New
   1-12  Mexico, before moving to Texas to accept a position with the Odessa
   1-13  firm of Shafer, Davis, Ashley, O'Leary and Stoker in 1979, in which
   1-14  capacity he has applied his legal expertise to cases relating to
   1-15  workers' compensation, products liability, negligence, and medical
   1-16  malpractice; and
   1-17        WHEREAS, Despite his demanding professional life, this
   1-18  remarkable individual has championed the cause of public education
   1-19  through his efforts with the Texas Association of School Boards
   1-20  (TASB) as that esteemed organization's president, 1st vice
   1-21  president, and 2nd vice president and as a longtime member of its
   1-22  board of trustees; he also has demonstrated his exemplary
   1-23  leadership abilities as chairman of many TASB committees, including
   1-24  the special committee on school funding, the organization's
    2-1  legislative committee, the special committee on Texas school boards
    2-2  in the 21st century, and the subcommittee on tax restructuring; and
    2-3        WHEREAS, Other education-related entities that have benefited
    2-4  greatly from his expertise and commitment include the Permian Basin
    2-5  School Board Association, which Mr. Nelson served as president, and
    2-6  the Ector County Independent School District, for which he held
    2-7  many offices, including president, vice president, and trustee; and
    2-8        WHEREAS, A highly respected voice in his field, Mr. Nelson
    2-9  has served with distinction as vice president and director of the
   2-10  Texas Young Lawyers Association, president of the Ector County Bar
   2-11  Association, and director of the Texas Association of Defense
   2-12  Counsel and as a member of the long-range planning committee of the
   2-13  State Bar of Texas; and
   2-14        WHEREAS, He has been supported in all his endeavors by his
   2-15  devoted wife, Karen, and the couple's three sons, Kyle, Jeff, and
   2-16  Cliff; and
   2-17        WHEREAS, Those who confront the myriad challenges facing our
   2-18  public schools today must possess not only the ability to visualize
   2-19  solutions, but also the determination to see them through, and by
   2-20  successfully serving his community and state in this demanding
   2-21  capacity, James E. Nelson has truly earned special legislative
   2-22  recognition; now, therefore, be it
   2-23        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-24  Legislature hereby commend James E. Nelson for his significant
   2-25  contributions to the vital cause of public education in Texas and
   2-26  extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success and
   2-27  happiness in the years to come; and, be it further
    3-1        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
    3-2  prepared for Mr. Nelson as an expression of high regard by the
    3-3  Texas House of Representatives.