By Flores                                              H.R. No. 281
         76R7661 GMW-D                           
                                 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.