R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The recent retirement of the Honorable Kenneth Alvie 1-2 "Buck" Douglas as district judge of the 13th Judicial District has 1-3 drawn to a close a distinguished career in jurisprudence and public 1-4 service that has spanned four decades; and 1-5 WHEREAS, After graduating from Barry High School in 1944, 1-6 Judge Douglas proudly served his country as a member of the United 1-7 States Army in the final days of World War II; following his 1-8 discharge from the armed forces, he attended Navarro County Junior 1-9 College for two years en route to pursuing a law degree; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Judge Douglas was graduated from Baylor University 1-11 Law School in 1951, and in May of that year he opened a law office 1-12 in Corsicana; in 1954 his strong work ethic and decision-making 1-13 skills earned him an appointment as city judge, in which capacity 1-14 he served until 1957, when he became county judge; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Fiscal responsibility and sound economic planning 1-16 characterized his tenure as county judge, and his superior 1-17 leadership helped the county to operate nearly free of indebtedness 1-18 during the years of his service; under Judge Douglas's guidance, 1-19 many improvements were made within the county, including the 1-20 refurbishment and remodeling of the county courthouse and jail and 1-21 the addition of a new wing to the Navarro County Memorial Hospital; 1-22 and 1-23 WHEREAS, In 1973, this esteemed individual stepped down from 1-24 his position as county judge when he was named executive director 2-1 of the Texas Association of Counties; three years later, he was 2-2 elected district judge of the 13th Judicial District, a post that 2-3 he would retain for the next 20 years; and 2-4 WHEREAS, A devoted husband and father as well, Judge Douglas 2-5 and his wife, Dorothy, take great pride in their sons, Ken and 2-6 Brett, and while his retirement from public service will no doubt 2-7 be a great loss for the citizens of Navarro County, the Douglases 2-8 will now have more time to devote to their five grandchildren; and 2-9 WHEREAS, For 42 years, Judge Kenneth A. Douglas has proven to 2-10 be an outstanding member of the judicial community, a man whose 2-11 exemplary record of public service speaks for itself; on the 2-12 occasion of his retirement, he indeed merits our highest praise and 2-13 recognition for the legacy of achievement he leaves behind; now, 2-14 therefore, be it 2-15 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-16 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the Honorable Kenneth Alvie 2-17 "Buck" Douglas on the occasion of his retirement and extend to him 2-18 sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness in the 2-19 future; and, be it further 2-20 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-21 prepared for Judge Douglas as an expression of high regard by the 2-22 Texas House of Representatives. Alexander _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 18 was adopted by the House on March 20, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House