R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The wedding anniversary of two outstanding Texans

 1-2     who have shared 50 happy and rewarding years of marriage is truly a

 1-3     memorable occasion worthy of special recognition; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, Shelby and Mary Pitts will have the privilege of

 1-5     commemorating such a momentous event in their lives when they

 1-6     celebrate their golden wedding anniversary on April 20, 1997; and

 1-7           WHEREAS, United in matrimony in Hazelhurst, Mississippi, the

 1-8     Pittses have nurtured an enduring relationship that has grown in

 1-9     love and mutual respect with each passing year and that has been

1-10     blessed with two children, Pamela Elizabeth Lane and the late

1-11     Stephen Dupree Pitts; and

1-12           WHEREAS, Throughout their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Pitts have

1-13     established themselves as dedicated and valued members of the

1-14     Dallas community; Mr. Pitts has enjoyed a lengthy and successful

1-15     career in the oil and gas industry and is now president and sales

1-16     manager of the firm he established eight years ago, Drilling

1-17     Specialty Company, Inc., while Mrs. Pitts has devoted herself to

1-18     providing a  warm and nurturing home life for their family; and

1-19           WHEREAS, The couple has further contributed to the community

1-20     through their active involvement with several worthy organizations,

1-21     including the Dallas Council on World Affairs, the Dallas Opera,

1-22     and the Baylor University Medical Center Foundation, to name but a

1-23     few, and their remarkable commitment has earned them the heartfelt

1-24     gratitude of their fellow citizens; and

 2-1           WHEREAS, Now enjoying the many benefits of their full life

 2-2     together, Mr. and Mrs. Pitts find they have more time to pursue

 2-3     their favorite leisure activities, and they treasure the time they

 2-4     spend with their close-knit family, which has grown to include

 2-5     their children's spouses, Dawn Thomas Pitts and Bruce R. Lane, Jr.,

 2-6     and their four beloved grandchildren, Justin Rutherford Lane, Holly

 2-7     Elizabeth Lane, Cerissa Dawn Pitts, and Natalie Michelle Pitts; and

 2-8           WHEREAS, For a half-century, Shelby and Mary Pitts have

 2-9     shared a warm and affectionate union filled with many happy times

2-10     and cherished family memories; built on a solid foundation of

2-11     mutual love, trust, and support, their marriage has brought great

2-12     joy to the many friends and family of this fortunate pair; now,

2-13     therefore, be it

2-14           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-15     Legislature hereby congratulate Shelby and Mary Pitts on the

2-16     occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary and extend to them

2-17     warmest best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further

2-18           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-19     prepared for Mr. and Mrs. Pitts as an expression of high regard by

2-20     the Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                     Merritt

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 443 was adopted by the House on March

         24, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House