R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, On February 1, 1997, Walter Umphrey completed his 1-2 term on the board of directors of the Texas Parks and Wildlife 1-3 Department, having brought to that position the tireless dedication 1-4 and selfless service that have been the hallmarks of his 1-5 professional career; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Mr. Umphrey was appointed to the board by Governor 1-7 Ann Richards in 1991, and during his six-year tenure, he presided 1-8 over a host of issues important to all Texans and was instrumental 1-9 in the creation of a new state park in Southeast Texas; and 1-10 WHEREAS, He received his undergraduate degree from Baylor 1-11 University and after graduating from that institution's school of 1-12 law in 1965, he became a prosecuting attorney in the Jefferson 1-13 County District Attorney's Office; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Four years later, he founded what is now Provost & 1-15 Umphrey Law Firm in Port Arthur and has excelled in his chosen 1-16 field to become one of the most successful trial lawyers in the 1-17 nation; and 1-18 WHEREAS, A fellow of the International Society of Barristers, 1-19 Mr. Umphrey is board certified in the areas of personal injury 1-20 trial law and labor law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization 1-21 and has also been certified by the American Board of Trial 1-22 Advocates; this respected lawyer is also admitted to practice 1-23 before the United States Supreme Court; and 1-24 WHEREAS, He has made many lasting contributions to his 2-1 profession as president of the Southeast Texas Trial Lawyers 2-2 Association and as an active member of the Texas Trial Lawyers 2-3 Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and the 2-4 local, state, and national chapters of the Bar Association; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Umphrey has 2-6 maintained an abiding commitment to his community; he has given 2-7 generously of his time and talents as chairman of the board of 2-8 Community Bank and further serves his fellow citizens as a Patron 2-9 of Police and as an active member of various wildlife 2-10 organizations; and 2-11 WHEREAS, A devoted conservationist, he has dedicated private 2-12 properties to game management and maintenance of native habitat, 2-13 and his remarkable generosity will greatly enhance the recreation 2-14 opportunities of his fellow Texans for many years to come; and 2-15 WHEREAS, Mr. Umphrey's philanthropy also extends to the area 2-16 of education; he funded the construction of a courtroom for Baylor 2-17 University School of Law, provided full undergraduate scholarships 2-18 to Lamar University, made an endowment to The University of Texas 2-19 School of Law, and established annual awards for school counselors; 2-20 and 2-21 WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, this esteemed gentleman has 2-22 enjoyed the love and support of his family, which includes his 2-23 devoted wife, Sheila, and the couple's children, Bart Edward 2-24 Umphrey and Paige Elizabeth Umphrey Cansler, and more recently, the 2-25 Umphreys have welcomed the addition of a beloved granddaughter, 2-26 Madison Cansler, into their close-knit family; and 2-27 WHEREAS, Walter Umphrey is a man of immense vision who has 3-1 served both his state and his community with great distinction, and 3-2 it is indeed appropriate that he receive special legislative 3-3 recognition at this time; now, therefore, be it 3-4 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 3-5 Legislature hereby honor Walter Umphrey for his exemplary tenure 3-6 with the board of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and 3-7 extend warmest best wishes to him for continued success and 3-8 happiness in all his future endeavors; and, be it further 3-9 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-10 prepared for Mr. Umphrey as an expression of high regard from the 3-11 Texas House of Representatives. Stiles _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 260 was adopted by the House on June 2, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House