By Stiles                                             H.R. No. 1336

         75R10687 JTR-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, On December 31, 1996, Jerry Wayne Fontenot resigned

 1-2     his position with the Port Arthur Police Department to begin his

 1-3     new career as a chief deputy constable for Jefferson County, and it

 1-4     is indeed fitting at this time to honor this notable Texan for his

 1-5     many years of public service; and

 1-6           WHEREAS, A Port Arthur native, Deputy Fontenot grew up amid

 1-7     the characteristic rough-and-tumble of a large seaport, and his

 1-8     first assignment as a police officer was walking the night beat in

 1-9     the city's bustling downtown area; and

1-10           WHEREAS, Over the next few years Port Arthur began to evolve

1-11     from its freewheeling origins into the modern city it is today, and

1-12     it was during this period that Deputy Fontenot distinguished

1-13     himself as a lawman of skill and integrity; from the rank of

1-14     patrolman he was first promoted to investigations and then to the

1-15     narcotics division, and he brought to each of these assignments his

1-16     characteristic diligence and dedication; and

1-17           WHEREAS, During his last eight years with the department,

1-18     Deputy Fontenot specialized in community-police relations, and his

1-19     astute leadership was indispensable to the success of such programs

1-20     as Crime Stoppers; and

1-21           WHEREAS, Deputy Fontenot's commitment to the community is

1-22     further reflected in the time and energy he contributes to a number

1-23     of worthy organizations; a veteran of the United States Navy, he is

1-24     an active member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, as well as of the

 2-1     East Texas Peace Officers Law Association and the First Baptist

 2-2     Church of Port Arthur; and

 2-3           WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Deputy Fontenot has drawn

 2-4     strength and sustenance from his close-knit and loving family, and

 2-5     he and his wife of 39 years, Betty Walker Fontenot, take great

 2-6     pride in their daughters, Tracy Fontenot Thibodeaux and Christy

 2-7     Fontenot Logan; and

 2-8           WHEREAS, Jerry Wayne Fontenot has achieved admirable success

 2-9     as a dedicated peace officer, a vital and valued citizen, and a

2-10     loving husband and father, and his many accomplishments are truly

2-11     worthy of special praise and recognition at this time; now,

2-12     therefore, be it

2-13           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-14     Legislature hereby honor Jerry Fontenot for his many years of

2-15     public service and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued

2-16     success and happiness in the future; and, be it further

2-17           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-18     prepared for Deputy Fontenot as an expression of high regard by the

2-19     Texas House of Representatives.