H.R. No. 838 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Honorable Arthur Guidry retired from his 1-2 position on the Port Arthur City Council on May 9, 1995, drawing to 1-3 a close a distinguished career in public service that has spanned 1-4 33 years; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Prior to taking office, Councilman Guidry enjoyed a 1-6 deeply fulfilling business career; he was the owner of Son's 1-7 Service Station during the 1940s and later formed a partnership 1-8 with George Lacey to sell insurance and real estate in 1969; and 1-9 WHEREAS, A native of Rayne, Louisiana, he also is well 1-10 regarded throughout the community for his 32 years of service with 1-11 the Port Arthur Texaco Refinery; he began his career there as a 1-12 laborer and worked his way up to the position of supervisor, in 1-13 which capacity he served for 16 years before retiring in 1982; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Deeply committed to public service, Councilman 1-15 Guidry was first elected to the Port Arthur City Council in 1962, 1-16 and he served his fellow citizens in District 7 with integrity and 1-17 distinction for the next 33 years, amassing the longest tenure of 1-18 any council member in the city's history; and 1-19 WHEREAS, His tenure was marked by many significant 1-20 achievements, and he was instrumental in helping to transform the 1-21 city into a more modern municipality; Councilman Guidry assisted 1-22 with several revisions of the city charter to provide for more 1-23 effective representation for the local citizenry and more efficient 1-24 government operations; and 2-1 WHEREAS, He developed a great vision for Port Arthur and 2-2 helped guide efforts to build virtually every major municipal 2-3 building in the city, including the city hall, the public library, 2-4 the civic center, and several fire stations, and he contributed 2-5 greatly to the state and regional economy when he helped create a 2-6 deepwater port for the city in the 1960s; and 2-7 WHEREAS, A deeply religious man, he receives his spiritual 2-8 strength as a devout member of Rock Island Baptist Church, where he 2-9 has worshipped for the past 55 years, and he has served his 2-10 congregation for many years as both a deacon and church treasurer; 2-11 and 2-12 WHEREAS, Throughout his many endeavors, Councilman Guidry has 2-13 enjoyed the love and support of his devoted wife of 44 years, 2-14 Bernice May Guidry, and the couple's two fine children, Craig 2-15 Guidry and Betty Broussard; and 2-16 WHEREAS, A man of great energy and vision, Councilman Guidry 2-17 has dedicated much of his life to the betterment of the Port Arthur 2-18 community, and in doing so, he has greatly enhanced the quality of 2-19 life for countless Texans, and he is indeed deserving of special 2-20 praise and recognition on the occasion of his retirement from 2-21 public service; now, therefore, be it 2-22 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-23 Legislature hereby commend Councilman Arthur Guidry for his many 2-24 years of exemplary service to the Port Arthur community and extend 2-25 best wishes for a happy and rewarding retirement; and, be it 2-26 further 2-27 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-1 prepared for Councilman Guidry as an expression of high regard by 3-2 the Texas House of Representatives.