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