By Jackson                                             H.R. No. 863
       74R12674 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  William E.  "Bill" Crowder for his significant efforts in behalf of
    1-3  seafarers in the Houston-La Porte area; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, Born December 17, 1911, in Boonville, Indiana,
    1-5  Mr. Crowder became a highly successful entrepreneur, founding his
    1-6  own business, United Pump Service & Supply, Inc., in 1936 and
    1-7  serving as its guiding force for 43 years; and
    1-8        WHEREAS, He first became involved with Barbours Cut
    1-9  Seafarers' Center, which has as its mission to help visiting
   1-10  seafarers meet their basic needs, as a Rotary representative in
   1-11  1986, and has served the center with distinction as both treasurer
   1-12  and as a board member in the ensuing years; he also contributes to
   1-13  the success of many events sponsored by the Barbours Cut Seafarers'
   1-14  Center, including the Maritime Festival and Gala; and
   1-15        WHEREAS, A member of the Houston International Seafarers'
   1-16  Center, he has served as treasurer and a member of the board of
   1-17  directors of that worthy organization as well; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, The many donations and services provided by
   1-19  Mr. Crowder to the Barbours Cut Seafarers' Center include
   1-20  furnishing the center with a 14-passenger van and office equipment,
   1-21  providing for the landscaping of the facility, and assisting in
   1-22  underwriting the center's chapel; and
   1-23        WHEREAS, For his exceptional efforts in behalf of the
   1-24  Barbours Cut Seafarers' Center and many other vital causes, Mayor
    2-1  Norman L. Malone of the city of La Porte designated April 19, 1995,
    2-2  as Bill Crowder Day in the community, and Mr. Crowder also earned
    2-3  well-deserved recognition for his service when he was declared an
    2-4  honorary captain of the Houston Port touring vessel Sam Houston;
    2-5  and
    2-6        WHEREAS, Mr. Crowder was married to Mildred Taylor, with whom
    2-7  he shared more than 40 years of marital harmony before her passing
    2-8  in 1983, and for the past decade, he has been blessed to find
    2-9  happiness again with his current wife, Helen, who supports him in
   2-10  all his endeavors; and
   2-11        WHEREAS, Those individuals who give freely of themselves to
   2-12  the betterment of others serve as an inspiration to all who know
   2-13  them, and Mr. Crowder's many significant contributions in this
   2-14  regard are truly worthy of special legislative recognition; now,
   2-15  therefore, be it
   2-16        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-17  Legislature hereby honor William E. "Bill" Crowder for his many
   2-18  notable contributions both to his fellow citizens and to visitors
   2-19  from across the seas and extend to him warmest best wishes for
   2-20  continued success and happiness in the future; and, be it further
   2-21        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-22  prepared for Mr. Crowder as an expression of high regard by the
   2-23  Texas House of Representatives.