HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, It is often said that all good things must come to 1-2 an end, and so it is with the legislative career of James Nance, 1-3 for following the close of this regular session, Mr. Nance will 1-4 ride off into the sunset aboard his trusty 1974 Firebird bound for 1-5 greater glory; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Though Mr. Nance has chosen to forsake 30 years of 1-7 service with the Texas Legislative Council (TLC) to live the life 1-8 of a gentleman farmer, the legend will no doubt live on for many 1-9 years to come through the lasting legacy of achievement he leaves 1-10 behind; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Mr. Nance was hired by the council in October 1967 1-12 at a time when a number of his current colleagues were but mere 1-13 twinkles in their fathers' eyes; he has mentored many of those same 1-14 colleagues in every aspect of legislative service, including 1-15 drafting, counseling, and appropriate demeanor and appearance; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Named a senior legislative counsel in 1984, he was 1-17 promoted to the rank of assistant director of the legal division 1-18 two years later, and while many insist that his selection as an 1-19 administrator was based on his prodigious legal acumen, rumors 1-20 continue to persist that it was his delicate handling of an inquiry 1-21 made by an out-of-state university professor that earned him 1-22 permanent placement in the annals of council history; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Now a deputy director of the legal division, 1-24 Mr. Nance has consistently set high standards to which others may 2-1 aspire; in peak physical condition and an avid runner, this 2-2 remarkable gentleman has never missed a Capitol 10,000, even going 2-3 so far as to run the race on one occasion with a stress fracture, 2-4 and his ability to keep ahead of the frenzied pack bearing down on 2-5 him has proven quite helpful in his professional life as well, 2-6 especially this session, as he is widely recognized as one of the 2-7 foremost tax experts in the state; and 2-8 WHEREAS, His many close friends on the TLC staff bubble over 2-9 in discussing what it has meant to them to be taught by the master, 2-10 for, as anyone who has ever been "nanced" can attest, the pen is 2-11 indeed mightier than the sword; equally adept in the art of verbal 2-12 expression, he persuaded two of his younger colleagues to join him 2-13 in baling hay on his farm one hot July afternoon and worked circles 2-14 around them as they unexpectedly shared near-death experiences; and 2-15 WHEREAS, While raising cattle in Bastrop County and Cain in 2-16 the Capitol Complex, Mr. Nance and his charming wife, Norma, have 2-17 also managed to rear a fine family that includes Alicia, Michael, 2-18 Danny, and James Lewis; and 2-19 WHEREAS, Known to blow his own horn on occasion, this 2-20 well-rounded gentleman is quite accomplished on the trumpet and 2-21 banjo, and his musical renderings have caused many a coworker, 2-22 neighbor, stray dog, and coyote to stand up and take notice; less 2-23 widely known, however, is his penchant for picking up lost items 2-24 off the street and perusing junkyards for spare parts, and though 2-25 he claims both habits to be "an extremely worthy use of his time," 2-26 close friends have privately wondered why he feels a woman's blonde 2-27 wig that hangs in his office may come in handy some day; and 3-1 WHEREAS, Despite his casual and, at times, perplexing manner, 3-2 Mr. Nance has a long-standing appreciation of the finer things in 3-3 life; an Austin Symphony season ticket holder now for many years, 3-4 he is also a wine connoisseur and gourmet cook who enjoys sharing 3-5 the fruits of his labors with those who drop by the farm, though if 3-6 pate is on the menu, one might do best to keep a running count of 3-7 the number of cows in residence before indulging; and 3-8 WHEREAS, Like his beloved Astros, Mr. Nance has repeatedly 3-9 hit the ball out of the park and scored many runs for the home team 3-10 throughout his legendary career; though we have seized the occasion 3-11 of his retirement to poke a little good-natured fun at him, this 3-12 MVP has long been a man on whom all could rely for his loyalty, 3-13 brilliance, and dedication to the state he is proud to call home, 3-14 and he will be deeply missed by the many people who have been 3-15 privileged to work with him through the years; now, therefore, be 3-16 it 3-17 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 3-18 hereby honor James Nance for his exceptional tenure with the Texas 3-19 Legislative Council on the occasion of his retirement and extend to 3-20 him sincere best wishes for great joy and happiness in the years to 3-21 come; and, be it further 3-22 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-23 prepared for Mr. Nance as an expression of highest esteem from his 3-24 colleagues in the Texas House of Representatives and Senate. Laney _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 324 was adopted by the House on May 31, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 324 was adopted by the Senate on May 31, 1997, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor