By Dutton                                              H.R. No. 571

         75R10560 WMS-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, Leon Sandles was recently designated by the Texas

 1-2     Legislative Black Caucus as an Outstanding Texan and this honor is

 1-3     indeed well deserved; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, Mr. Sandles was graduated from Kashmere High School

 1-5     in Houston and pursued his higher education at Texas Southern

 1-6     University, the University of Houston, and Houston Community

 1-7     College, where he attained his associate degree in fire technology;

 1-8     and

 1-9           WHEREAS, An exemplary patriot, he served his country with

1-10     distinction for two years as a member of the United States Army;

1-11     and

1-12           WHEREAS, On completing his military service, he returned to

1-13     Houston and joined the Houston Fire Department, and for 28 years

1-14     Mr. Sandles has set the highest possible standards in the

1-15     performance of his duties with that elite group of men and women;

1-16     and

1-17           WHEREAS, In addition to his vital work with the fire

1-18     department, this distinguished gentleman also serves his community

1-19     as president of the United Men of Our Mother of Mercy Parish, and

1-20     as a participant in the Houston Independent School District

1-21     Minority Male Initiative Program; and

1-22           WHEREAS, Among the many accolades he has received for his

1-23     many contributions to the community are the Outstanding Service

1-24     Award by the Knights of Peter Clever and the 1997 Sir Knight Louis

 2-1     Dorian Humanitarian Award; and

 2-2           WHEREAS, A man of deep religious conviction, he is an active

 2-3     member of Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church, where he also serves

 2-4     as a board trustee; and

 2-5           WHEREAS, He has been supported in all his many endeavors by

 2-6     his wife, Charolette, and his two daughters, Cindy and Andrea; and

 2-7           WHEREAS, Leon Sandles has devoted his life to the betterment

 2-8     of his fellowman through his work with the Houston Fire Department

 2-9     and as a community leader and his many notable accomplishments are

2-10     worthy of special legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it

2-11           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-12     Legislature hereby congratulate Leon Sandles on being named an

2-13     Outstanding Texan by the Texas Legislative Black Caucus; and, be it

2-14     further

2-15           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-16     prepared for Leon Sandles as an expression of high regard by the

2-17     Texas House of Representatives.