R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of H. L. "Lee" Dent of Hale Center on 1-2 January 15, 1999, at the age of 78, brought a great loss to the 1-3 family and many friends of this esteemed gentleman; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A native Texan, Mr. Dent was born December 3, 1920, 1-5 in Hale Center, where he graduated from high school as a young man 1-6 and went on to serve his country with distinction as a member of 1-7 the 832nd Signal Corp, Team 6, of the United States Army during 1-8 World War II; on completing his military service, he returned to 1-9 Hale Center and in 1946 married his beloved wife, Juanita; and 1-10 WHEREAS, For more than four decades, Mr. Dent served as the 1-11 Hale Center fire chief and was active with the Hale Center 1-12 Volunteer Fire Department; throughout his life, this true community 1-13 leader was a dedicated firefighter who was deeply committed to the 1-14 cause of public safety; and 1-15 WHEREAS, A former president and secretary-treasurer of the 1-16 Panhandle Fireman Association, Mr. Dent also donated his time and 1-17 considerable expertise as an instructor at the Lubbock, Canyon, and 1-18 Texas A&M University fire schools; in this capacity, he helped 1-19 firefighters hone the skills necessary to meet the rigorous and 1-20 often dangerous demands of their profession; and 1-21 WHEREAS, He served as manager of the Hale Center Chamber of 1-22 Commerce for 43 years, as executive director of the Hale Center 1-23 Housing Authority beginning in 1968, and as a defensive driving 1-24 instructor from 1971; in addition, Mr. Dent was a vital member of 2-1 the Lions Club, held a seat on the Salvation Army Board for 25 2-2 years, was American Legion Post #203 commander, and a longtime 2-3 Little League coach; in 1976 his devotion to public service was 2-4 recognized when he received the community's "Citizenship Award"; 2-5 and 2-6 WHEREAS, Although H. L. "Lee" Dent will be deeply missed, his 2-7 spirit will live on in the hearts and minds of all those fortunate 2-8 enough to have known him, and it is indeed fitting to honor his 2-9 memory at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-10 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-11 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of H. L. "Lee" Dent and 2-12 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, 2-13 Juanita Dent; to his son and daughter-in-law, Hardy and Shelly 2-14 Dent; to his sister, Jean Ballinger; to his nieces and nephews; and 2-15 to his many other relatives and friends; and, be it further 2-16 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-17 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-18 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-19 H. L. "Lee" Dent. Laney _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 500 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 23, 1999. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House