HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, The retirement of Sam F. Collins of Newton concludes
1-2 a dynamic 35-year association with the Sabine River Authority of
1-3 Texas; and
1-4 WHEREAS, Born on June 9, 1928, in New Orleans, Louisiana,
1-5 Mr. Collins moved to Texas and settled in Newton in 1933, and as a
1-6 young man graduated from Baylor University with a bachelor of
1-7 science degree; he went on to serve with distinction as a pilot in
1-8 the United States Air Force for more than four years and retired
1-9 from the service with the rank of major; and
1-10 WHEREAS, He and his wife, the former Sue Johnson, have
1-11 enjoyed a happy marriage that has been blessed with three
1-12 daughters, Sherri, Kay, and Kristi; through the years their family
1-13 has been further enhanced with the welcome addition of two
1-14 grandsons and four granddaughters; and
1-15 WHEREAS, Mr. Collins was elected to the Texas House of
1-16 Representatives in 1958 and served the citizens of the Lone Star
1-17 State as a legislator for six years; and
1-18 WHEREAS, This dedicated employee began his career with the
1-19 Toledo Bend Project on June 1, 1963, as an assistant project
1-20 supervisor for administration; he held progressively more demanding
1-21 positions through the years and was ultimately named executive vice
1-22 president and general manager of the Sabine River Authority on
1-23 September 1, 1978; and
1-24 WHEREAS, Under his judicious leadership, the Toledo Bend Dam
2-1 and Reservoir and Lake Fork Dam and Reservoir were constructed; he
2-2 successfully negotiated a debt repayment schedule and renegotiated
2-3 contracts with area power companies while fostering participation
2-4 in community activities throughout the Sabine River Basin; and
2-5 WHEREAS, The judgment and guidance of Mr. Collins were
2-6 instrumental in the installation of a sophisticated alert system,
2-7 as well as in the expansion of water quality monitoring programs
2-8 and the exploration of new ways to encourage economic development
2-9 within the cities and industries of the basin area; and
2-10 WHEREAS, This outstanding leader has shared his expertise by
2-11 chairing several committees and boards for the Sabine River Compact
2-12 Administration, the Texas Water Conservation Association, and the
2-13 Water Resources Congress; he has also participated on the board of
2-14 the Interstate Council on Water Policy, and was a member of the
2-15 East Texas regional water planning group; and
2-16 WHEREAS, Mr. Collins has received a number of honors and
2-17 accolades during his tenure, including the Deep East Texas
2-18 Development Association's Silver Bucket Award for distinguished
2-19 service, the Texas Water Conservation Association's 1997 Convention
2-20 Dedication Award, and the National Water Resources Association's
2-21 Lifetime Membership Award in November 1997; and
2-22 WHEREAS, This esteemed gentleman's longtime service with the
2-23 Sabine River Authority of Texas has been crucial to the continued
2-24 development and improvement of the water resources within the
2-25 Sabine River Basin, and he is truly worthy of special recognition
2-26 for his efforts in this endeavor; now, therefore, be it
2-27 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
3-1 hereby pay tribute to Sam F. Collins for a distinguished,
3-2 productive career leading the Sabine River Authority of Texas and
3-3 extend to him sincere best wishes for a fulfilling and satisfying
3-4 retirement; and, be it further
3-5 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-6 prepared for Mr. Collins as an expression of high regard by the
3-7 Texas House of Representatives and Senate.
Lewis of Orange
Laney Glaze Moreno of El Paso
Alexander Goodman Morrison
Allen Goolsby Mowery
Alvarado Gray Naishtat
Averitt Green Najera
Bailey Greenberg Nixon
Berman Grusendorf Noriega
Bonnen Gutierrez Oliveira
Bosse Haggerty Olivo
Brimer Hamric Palmer
Brown of Kaufman Hardcastle Pickett
Brown of Brazos Hartnett Pitts
Burnam Hawley Puente
Capelo Heflin Ramsay
Carter Hilbert Rangel
Chavez Hilderbran Reyna of Bexar
Chisum Hill Reyna of Dallas
Christian Hinojosa Ritter
Clark Hochberg Sadler
Coleman Hodge Salinas
Cook Homer Seaman
Corte Hope Shields
Counts Howard Siebert
Crabb Hunter Smith
Craddick Hupp Smithee
Crownover Isett Solis of Cameron
Cuellar Janek Solis of Bexar
Culberson Jones of Brazos Solomons
Danburg Jones of Lubbock Staples
Davis of Harris Jones of Dallas Swinford
Davis of Dallas Junell Talton
Delisi Keel Telford
Denny Keffer Thompson
Deshotel King of Parker Tillery
Driver King of Uvalde Truitt
Dukes Krusee Turner of Coleman
Dunnam Kuempel Turner of Harris
Dutton Lengefeld Uher
Edwards Lewis of Tarrant Uresti
Ehrhardt Lewis of Orange Van de Putte
Eiland Longoria Walker
Elkins Luna West
Ellis McCall Williams
Farabee McClendon Wilson
Farrar McReynolds Wise
Flores Madden Wohlgemuth
Gallego Marchant Wolens
Garcia Maxey Woolley
George Merritt Yarbrough
Giddings Moreno of Harris Zbranek
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 55 was adopted by the House on
March 4, 1999, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 55 was adopted by the Senate on
March 4, 1999, by a viva-voce vote.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor