By Kubiak H.R. No. 782 75R13558 SAJ-D 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 60 happy and rewarding years of marriage is truly a 1-3 memorable occasion worthy of special recognition; and 1-4 WHEREAS, John and Bonnie Mitchell of Cameron will have the 1-5 privilege of commemorating such a momentous event in their lives 1-6 when they celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on April 30, 1-7 1997; and 1-8 WHEREAS, The Mitchells met in New Mexico, and they exchanged 1-9 their wedding vows in Palm Springs, California, in 1937; throughout 1-10 the years, they have nurtured an enduring relationship that has 1-11 grown in love and understanding with each passing year, and they 1-12 have enriched not only their own lives but the lives of those 1-13 around them with their devotion to each other; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The couple have been welcomed and industrious 1-15 members of each community in which they have resided; Mr. Mitchell 1-16 was employed as a lineman supervisor for the El Paso Electric 1-17 Company in New Mexico before moving to Texas, where he initially 1-18 operated a service station in College Station and later relocated 1-19 to Cameron to ranch until his retirement in 1975; and 1-20 WHEREAS, In addition to providing a warm and secure home life 1-21 for her family, Mrs. Mitchell effectively served as her husband's 1-22 partner throughout all their business endeavors; in retirement, she 1-23 finds she now has more time to pursue her two favorite pastimes, 1-24 gardening and crocheting; and 2-1 WHEREAS, These fine individuals are each heir to a rich 2-2 family heritage; Mr. Mitchell was born in Lindsey, Oklahoma, and 2-3 his Chickasaw Indian ancestry can be traced back to the Trail of 2-4 Tears in 1836, while Mrs. Mitchell is a native Texan who descends 2-5 from Alexander Hodge, one of the original settlers who came to 2-6 Texas with Stephen F. Austin; and 2-7 WHEREAS, The couple are the proud parents of two daughters, 2-8 Shirley Eastin and Kay Kloesel; in recent years, their family has 2-9 grown to include five grandchildren, Jo Beth Hackett, Kris 2-10 Wattinger, Glen Vinson, Kenneth Vinson, and Maureen Paolucci; and 2-11 six great-grandchildren, Wesley, Courtney, and Cody Hackett, Rolla 2-12 McRae Wattinger, and Monica and Gina Paolucci; and 2-13 WHEREAS, For six decades, John and Bonnie Mitchell have 2-14 shared a warm and affectionate union filled with many happy times 2-15 and cherished family memories; built on a solid foundation of 2-16 mutual love, trust, and support, their marriage has indeed been a 2-17 source of joy and inspiration to the many friends and family of 2-18 this fortunate pair; now, therefore, be it 2-19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-20 Legislature hereby congratulate John and Bonnie Mitchell on the 2-21 occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary and extend to them 2-22 warmest best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further 2-23 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-24 prepared for Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell as an expression of high regard 2-25 by the Texas House of Representatives.