R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, On February 25, 1999, Reverend Buddy Owens is being 1-2 honored for his 35 years of exemplary service to the Rio Grande 1-3 Children's Home with a recognition dinner, and this outstanding 1-4 gentleman is truly worthy of special praise; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Reverend Owens attended Texas Southmost College and 1-6 received a degree in education from The University of Texas--Pan 1-7 American; he later was a respected public school teacher in San 1-8 Benito, Los Indios, and McAllen; and 1-9 WHEREAS, In 1955 this distinguished reverend was ordained a 1-10 Baptist minister by Calvary Baptist Church in Harlingen; he then 1-11 went on to start Calvary Baptist Church in San Benito and also 1-12 served as pastor for Trinity Baptist Church in McAllen and First 1-13 Baptist Church in Donna; and 1-14 WHEREAS, In addition to opening the Rio Grande Children's 1-15 Home in 1964, Reverend Owens also established the Valley Christian 1-16 School in 1974, the Rio Grande Children's Home Thrift Store, 1-17 Catfish Palace, and Burns Youth Camp at Reagan Wells; to further 1-18 benefit area children he founded the Rio Grande Children's Home 1-19 Foundation, the George E. Ely Trust, and the Cecil Carruth Trust; 1-20 and 1-21 WHEREAS, Reverend Owens has also served as a member of the 1-22 advisory board of the Texas Department of Human Resources, as 1-23 president of Southwest Association of Child Care Executives, and as 1-24 a member of Texas Association of Child Care Executives, as well as 2-1 being appointed chaplain for a day of both the United States Senate 2-2 and House of Representatives; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Throughout the years, Reverend Owens has drawn 2-4 strength and inspiration from his loving wife, the former Mary 2-5 Labar, and their lengthy union has been blessed with four children, 2-6 Judy Prater, the late Eric Owens, Dave Owens, and Brent Owens; and 2-7 WHEREAS, Since establishing the Rio Grande Children's Home in 2-8 1964, Reverend Buddy Owens has touched the lives of countless 2-9 children and their parents, enriching their lives with his 2-10 unfailing love and compassion, and it is indeed a privilege to 2-11 recognize him at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-12 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-13 Legislature hereby honor Reverend Buddy Owens for his 35 years of 2-14 service to the Rio Grande Children's Home and extend to him sincere 2-15 best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it further 2-16 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-17 prepared for Mr. Owens as an expression of high regard by the Texas 2-18 House of Representatives. Flores _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 281 was adopted by the House on February 24, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House