1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 477 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to 1-4 recognize the Honorable William M. Sims for winning the 1996 1-5 Texas A&M Distinguished Texan in Agriculture Award; and 1-6 WHEREAS, The Distinguished Texan in Agriculture Award was 1-7 established in 1992 to honor agricultural leaders in Texas for 1-8 their outstanding leadership and significant contributions to 1-9 Texas agriculture; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Senator Sims embodies the characteristics for which 1-11 this award was established to include the attainment of prominence 1-12 through his efforts in agriculture on behalf of the State of Texas; 1-13 the qualities of integrity, stature, and demonstrated ability which 1-14 merit the recognition of a proven leader in the field of agriculture 1-15 and natural resources; and his impressive record of accomplishments 1-16 represents his contributions at the state and national level; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Raised on a ranch near Paint Rock, Senator Sims 1-18 has been a lifelong advocate for Texas ranchers and farmers; a 1-19 graduate of Texas Tech University in animal husbandry, he truly 1-20 loves the land and the hardworking people who make it productive; 1-21 and 1-22 WHEREAS, Named the Executive Secretary of the Texas Sheep and 1-23 Goat Raisers' Association in 1966, he had already served 10 years 2-1 as County Extension Agent in Howard and Irion counties; through 2-2 his effectiveness as leader of this organization for 29 years, 2-3 the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers' Association helped shape the 2-4 West Texas ranching industry; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Becoming aware of the extraordinary impact of 2-6 legislation on the lives of rural people, Senator Sims was 2-7 inspired to run for the Texas Senate in 1983 and was successful; 2-8 he effectively served over 58 counties in Texas during his 14-year 2-9 tenure in the Senate; and 2-10 WHEREAS, An assertive and tireless advocate on behalf of 2-11 farmers, ranchers, and rural Texas communities, he served as 2-12 Chair of the Natural Resources Committee; he also served on 2-13 numerous other Senate committees, including Education, Economic 2-14 Development, Administration, Intergovernmental Relations, Finance, 2-15 and Criminal Justice; and 2-16 WHEREAS, A strong proponent of Texas agriculture, he was 2-17 instrumental in the passage of essential legislation to eradicate 2-18 the boll weevil, fight bovine tuberculosis, and establish control 2-19 of the Texas fire ant; he also sponsored the bill reauthorizing 2-20 the Texas Animal Health Commission; and 2-21 WHEREAS, The winner of countless honors and awards, 2-22 Senator Sims has been commended by the Texas Wildlife Association, 2-23 the Texas Association of Municipal Health Officials, the Texas State 2-24 Troopers Association, the Texas Agriculture Commission, and the 2-25 Professional Agriculture Workers of Texas; and 3-1 WHEREAS, A recent recipient of the Man of the Year Award 3-2 from the Texas County Agricultural Agents, he also received a 3-3 Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Farm Bureau and was 3-4 honored as the recipient of the Fred T. Earwood Memorial Award 3-5 from the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers' Association in 1988; and 3-6 WHEREAS, This dedicated servant has lightly borne the 3-7 responsibilities of leadership throughout his career in public 3-8 service; it is fitting that commendation be accorded him; now, 3-9 therefore, be it 3-10 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-11 75th Legislature, hereby congratulate the Honorable William M. Sims 3-12 on his highly deserved recognition; and, be it further 3-13 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 3-14 Senator Sims as an expression of the highest regard and esteem 3-15 of the Texas Senate. 3-16 Brown 3-17 Armbrister Harris Patterson 3-18 Barrientos Haywood Ratliff 3-19 Bivins Lindsay Shapiro 3-20 Cain Lucio Shapleigh 3-21 Carona Luna Sibley 3-22 Duncan Madla Truan 3-23 Ellis Moncrief Wentworth 3-24 Fraser Nelson West 3-25 Gallegos Nixon Whitmire 3-26 Galloway Ogden Zaffirini 3-27 Bullock, President of the Senate 3-28 ______________________________________ 3-29 President of the Senate 3-30 I hereby certify that the above 3-31 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-32 on April 10, 1997. 3-33 ______________________________________ 3-34 Secretary of the Senate 3-35 ______________________________________ 4-1 Member, Texas Senate