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