R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Charlie R. Hillard on April 16, 1996, 1-2 at the age of 58, has brought a great loss to the family and many 1-3 friends of this esteemed Fort Worth businessman and civic leader; 1-4 and 1-5 WHEREAS, He was highly regarded as an automobile dealer and 1-6 began working for his father, "King" Charlie Hillard, when he was 1-7 just 10 years old; he went on to excel in the family business and 1-8 was instrumental in expanding the dealership from a single 1-9 franchise to what is now one of the most successful auto parks in 1-10 the nation; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Mr. Hillard led a full and active life that included 1-12 an avid interest in aviation; an accomplished skydiver during his 1-13 youth, he was a member of the United States Skydiving Team in 1958 1-14 and placed second at Paris' Coupe du Monde; and 1-15 WHEREAS, He later became an aerobatic pilot, and in addition 1-16 to working as an aircraft designer and a movie stunt pilot, he also 1-17 led the world-renowned Eagle Aerobatic Team; the first American to 1-18 win the world aerobatic title, he held four gold medals in the 1-19 Olympics of the Air and was inducted into both the International 1-20 Aerobatic Hall of Fame and the Fort Worth Aviation Hall of Fame; 1-21 and 1-22 WHEREAS, Through the years, Mr. Hillard demonstrated an 1-23 abiding commitment to his community as a board member of the Fort 1-24 Worth Chamber of Commerce, Texas Wesleyan University, and the Texas 2-1 Motor Speedway Children's Charities; he was also active with the 2-2 Marketing Committee of the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, and drew on 2-3 his vast experience to seek solutions to important transportation 2-4 issues; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Charlie Hillard left an indelible mark on the 2-6 community he was proud to call home, and though he is gone from us 2-7 now, his memory will long endure in the hearts and minds of all who 2-8 knew and loved him; now, therefore, be it 2-9 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-10 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Charlie R. Hillard 2-11 and extend heartfelt sympathy to the members of his family: to his 2-12 wife, Doreen K. Hillard; to his daughters, Lauris Gibson and 2-13 Heather Hillard; to his sons, Reese Hillard and Ryan Hillard; to 2-14 his sister, Shirley Hillard; to his grandsons, John Holden Gibson 2-15 III, Davis Hillard Gibson, and Reese Campbell Hillard; and to his 2-16 many other friends and relatives; and, be it further 2-17 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-18 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-19 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-20 Charlie R. Hillard. Brimer _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1296 was adopted by the House on June 2, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House