By Bonnen H.R. No. 83 76R5111 MDM-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to 1-2 congratulate Waverly Jefferson, Jr., on his retirement as he 1-3 concludes an outstanding association with The Texas A&M University 1-4 System Extension Service that has spanned nearly 30 years; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Born in Wharton, Mr. Jefferson graduated from 1-6 Prairie View A&M University with a bachelor of science degree; he 1-7 continued his pursuit of academic excellence at Southwest Texas 1-8 State University and he later returned to Prairie View A&M 1-9 University, where he earned a master's degree in education; and 1-10 WHEREAS, This noteworthy gentleman began his career with the 1-11 extension service in 1969 as the Jasper County extension agent, a 1-12 post he went on to hold in Guadalupe and Brazoria counties; he 1-13 served for eight years as Brazoria County extension 1-14 agent-agriculture program leader until 1997, when he accepted the 1-15 responsibilities of his current position as Brazoria County 1-16 extension agent-urban development program leader; and 1-17 WHEREAS, During his fine tenure, Mr. Jefferson was 1-18 instrumental in the creation of a green belt adjacent to Jane Long 1-19 Elementary School, and the area was appropriately named the Waverly 1-20 Jefferson Arboretum in his honor; in addition, he organized a 1-21 four-city beautification project that has resulted in the planting 1-22 of more than 5,000 trees, and his enthusiastic support has helped 1-23 to make the poultry project he developed one of the most 1-24 competitive at the Brazoria County Fair; and 2-1 WHEREAS, An accomplished horticulturist, he orchestrated 2-2 county-wide training opportunities for master gardeners and helped 2-3 to revitalize the region's pecan industry by advocating grafting of 2-4 the trees and by conducting public educational sessions and an 2-5 annual pecan show and bakeoff; his weekly gardening column in the 2-6 Brazosport Facts attracts a loyal readership of thousands 2-7 countywide; and 2-8 WHEREAS, In 1997, Mr. Jefferson was selected as a recipient 2-9 of The Texas A&M University System Superior Service Award in the 2-10 Distinguished Career category in recognition of his significant 2-11 accomplishments, and he was nominated again in 1998; his nomination 2-12 was based on his outstanding service in leadership, horticulture, 2-13 and 4-H programs by assisting adults and youth to achieve 2-14 individual and group goals through creatively incorporating 2-15 diversity in programming; and 2-16 WHEREAS, Recognized as a dedicated civic leader, 2-17 Mr. Jefferson contributes to the betterment of his community by 2-18 donating his time and talents to many worthy causes; he chairs the 2-19 Brazoria County Museum Board and is currently a member of the 2-20 Brazoria County Fair Executive Board, and he is a board member of 2-21 the Angleton-Danbury Hospital, the Angleton Economic Development 2-22 Council, and the Houston Area Council of Government; and 2-23 WHEREAS, Mr. Jefferson has received a number of well-deserved 2-24 honors and accolades during his tenure; he was named the 2-25 Outstanding Dow Citizen Action Panel Member for 1998 and the City 2-26 of Angleton Outstanding Citizen for 1996; he was also the recipient 2-27 of the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association Distinguished 3-1 Service award in 1995, and the National County Agricultural Agents 3-2 Association Distinguished Service award for that same year; and 3-3 WHEREAS, This esteemed gentleman's three decades of notable 3-4 service with The Texas A&M University System Extension Service has 3-5 played a vital role in the continued development of innovative 3-6 agricultural programs in the State of Texas, and he is truly worthy 3-7 of special recognition for his efforts; now, therefore, be it 3-8 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 3-9 Legislature hereby commend Waverly Jefferson, Jr., for a 3-10 distinguished, productive career with The Texas A&M University 3-11 System Extension Service and extend to him sincere best wishes for 3-12 a fulfilling and enjoyable retirement; and, be it further 3-13 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-14 prepared for Mr. Jefferson as an expression of high regard by the 3-15 Texas House of Representatives.