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.