By: Turner S.R. No. 506 1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-2 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to 1-3 recognize W. D. "Bill" Fitch for his many contributions to 1-4 College Station; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Born in Dallas, Texas, on September 25, 1921, he 1-6 was the son of James P. Fitch and Georgie K. Fitch; Bill attended 1-7 Dallas public schools and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School 1-8 where he had been an honors student for four years and president of 1-9 the State Assembly of Pan American Student Forum; and 1-10 WHEREAS, He attended Texas A&M University, class of 1942, 1-11 and served his country with valor in the United States Army as a 1-12 Captain in Field Artillery from 1943 to 1946 in the China, Burma, 1-13 and India Theatre; and 1-14 WHEREAS, While he was serving in the Armed Forces, 1-15 Bill Fitch met and married Gail Marie Todd in 1944; and together 1-16 they created a warm and supportive environment for their three 1-17 children; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Mr. Fitch began his career in the general 1-19 construction and home construction business in 1947 and continued 1-20 until 1960; he served his community as a College Station City 1-21 Council member and served two terms; during that time he and other 1-22 members were instrumental in passing the city's first ordinances 1-23 providing for curbed and paved streets, as well as complete water 2-1 and sewer development in all new subdivisions; and 2-2 WHEREAS, During the 1960s through the early 1980s, he 2-3 acquired land in south College Station where he developed many 2-4 subdivisions, donated 19 acres for Bee Creek Park, and chartered 2-5 and began developing Southwood Valley, Incorporated; and 2-6 WHEREAS, This newer community encompassed over 1,000 acres 2-7 of homes, apartments, commercial and professional businesses, 2-8 churches, schools, parks, and a regional hospital; and 2-9 WHEREAS, To many of his fellow residents Bill Fitch will 2-10 always be "Mr. College Station" because he and his family have 2-11 been strong advocates in promoting and supporting College Station 2-12 and all the activities that help create a better environment for 2-13 the community; and 2-14 WHEREAS, This distinguished gentleman has supported his 2-15 community by serving on the Board of Directors of the Bank of A&M, 2-16 as Director of the College Station Industrial Foundation, as 2-17 Housing and Development Advisor-Brazos Valley Development Council, 2-18 and as a member of the College Station Independent School District 2-19 Board of Trustees; and 2-20 WHEREAS, A man who enjoys the company of his fellows, 2-21 Mr. Fitch is also a member of the Brazos Valley Shrine Club and 2-22 the College Station Kiwanis Club; he has retired and is enjoying 2-23 his leisure time in Wise County on a 400-acre ranch that his 2-24 grandparents owned; and 2-25 WHEREAS, The many and varied accomplishments of this 3-1 outstanding civic leader have contributed greatly to the progress 3-2 and development of College Station and the State of Texas; he is 3-3 certainly worthy of legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it 3-4 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-5 74th Legislature, hereby congratulate W. D. "Bill" Fitch on his 3-6 career of service to his city and state; and, be it further 3-7 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 3-8 him as an expression of highest regard from the Senate of Texas. 3-9 ______________________________________ 3-10 President of the Senate 3-11 I hereby certify that the above 3-12 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-13 on March 22, 1995. 3-14 ______________________________________ 3-15 Secretary of the Senate 3-16 ______________________________________ 3-17 Member, Texas Senate