By West H.R. No. 793 74R11973 WMS-D 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 not only possess the ability to visualize 2-19 solutions, but 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.