R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, For many years, the Galveston community has 1-2 benefited from the leadership of Joe C. Blackshear, and his receipt 1-3 of the 1997 People of Vision Award from the Texas Society to 1-4 Prevent Blindness provides a most fitting opportunity to honor him 1-5 for his outstanding service; and 1-6 WHEREAS, A native of Galveston, Mr. Blackshear was graduated 1-7 from Texas A&M University in 1948, and he enjoyed a successful 1-8 career as owner of 10 insurance agencies in the Gulf Coast area 1-9 before his retirement; and 1-10 WHEREAS, He further contributed to his chosen field in 1-11 leadership capacities with the Independent Insurance Agents of 1-12 Texas, the Galveston Insurance Board, and the committee that helped 1-13 to establish an insurance pool in Texas to cover catastrophic 1-14 storms; and 1-15 WHEREAS, He is also highly regarded for his tenure in public 1-16 office, having represented the concerns of his fellow citizens as a 1-17 member of both the Galveston City Council and the Planning 1-18 Commission; and 1-19 WHEREAS, A founding director of the Galveston Savings and 1-20 Loan Association, Mr. Blackshear has continued to work for the 1-21 betterment of the community through his involvement with the Junior 1-22 Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, and 1-23 the Sealy & Smith Foundation; and 1-24 WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, he has been sustained by his 2-1 abiding faith as a devout member of Trinity Episcopal Church, and 2-2 he has served as the church's senior warden, as president of the 2-3 Trinity Episcopal School, and as chairman of the Expansion and 2-4 Excellence Fund; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Joe Blackshear has enhanced the quality of life in 2-6 the Galveston area in numerous ways, and his exceptional commitment 2-7 is a source of inspiration to all who are privileged to know him; 2-8 now, therefore, be it 2-9 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-10 Legislature hereby honor Joe C. Blackshear for his exemplary 2-11 professional and civic involvement and extend to him heartfelt 2-12 congratulations on his receipt of the 1997 People of Vision Award; 2-13 and, be it further 2-14 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-15 prepared for Mr. Blackshear as an expression of high regard by the 2-16 Texas House of Representatives. Gray Eiland _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 910 was adopted by the House on May 23, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House