R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, May 1, 1997, is indeed a special day for James O. 1-2 Ratliff, for on this day he celebrates his 55th birthday; and 1-3 WHEREAS, A vital and valued resident of Round Rock, Texas, 1-4 James O. Ratliff has obtained the rank of major with the Texas 1-5 Department of Public Safety and has over the years served our state 1-6 by giving freely of his time and talent to better our community; 1-7 and 1-8 WHEREAS, Major Ratliff has served all across our state; 1-9 beginning his career with the Department of Public Safety as a 1-10 patrolman trainee at the DPS Academy in 1963, James was quickly 1-11 promoted through the ranks first serving as a driver's license 1-12 trooper in Arlington, Texas, and later in Fort Worth, Texas; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Major Ratliff's first promotion to sergeant 1-14 transferred him to Dallas, Texas, on October 15, 1972, serving two 1-15 years in Dallas until his transfer to Farmers Branch, Texas; and 1-16 WHEREAS, On May 5, 1980, Major Ratliff was promoted to 1-17 lieutenant, Driver's License Service, and transferred to Harlingen, 1-18 Texas, and served for nine years until his appointment to major, 1-19 Traffic Law Enforcement, in Austin, Texas, on September 18, 1989; 1-20 and 1-21 WHEREAS, Despite his many noteworthy accomplishments, Major 1-22 Ratliff has always derived his greatest happiness from his family; 1-23 James Ratliff is married to his wife of 25 years, the former Gail 1-24 Morrison, and they are blessed with three wonderful children, 2-1 Jennifer Hebdon, Mitch Ratliff, and Leslie Parrish, and including a 2-2 particularly wonderful granddaughter, Madison Parrish; and 2-3 WHEREAS, James O. Ratliff is truly an inspiration to the 2-4 citizens of our state and a pillar of courtesy, service, and 2-5 protection as exemplified by the Department of Public Safety's 2-6 motto; and 2-7 WHEREAS, He has certainly made our state a better place with 2-8 his integrity, service, and kindness, and he is indeed deserving of 2-9 special legislative recognition at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-10 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-11 Legislature hereby honor Major James O. Ratliff by recognizing this 2-12 as James O. Ratliff Day at the State Capitol and extend to him 2-13 sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness in the 2-14 future; and, be it further 2-15 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-16 prepared for the Major as an expression of high regard by his many 2-17 friends in the Texas House of Representatives. Oakley _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 790 was adopted by the House on May 16, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House