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