By Uher                                                H.R. No. 846
         76R14518 BE-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives takes great pride
 1-2     in recognizing Bay City pediatrician Dr. Fred Matthes on the
 1-3     occasion of his retirement, for his 41-year record of service to
 1-4     the Gulf Coast community indeed merits special legislative
 1-5     recognition; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, A Bay City native, Dr. Matthes is a graduate of Rice
 1-7     University and Baylor University Medical School; after a tenure
 1-8     with Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Dr.  Matthes returned to
 1-9     Bay City and opened his practice there in 1958; and
1-10           WHEREAS, Dr. Matthes has since established himself as one of
1-11     the area's preeminent pediatricians, and his clients now include
1-12     the children and grandchildren of his original patients; and
1-13           WHEREAS, Throughout his career in medicine, this admirable
1-14     Texan has shared his exceptional knowledge and ability as a member
1-15     of a number of charitable and civic organizations; he has made
1-16     numerous missionary trips to Thailand, Mexico, and Haiti, and also
1-17     served for 40 years as team doctor for the Bay City Black Cats; and
1-18           WHEREAS, In addition, Dr. Matthes has proven himself an able
1-19     and admirable volunteer with a variety of community groups, ranging
1-20     from scout camps and his work with the First Baptist Church, to
1-21     service with the chamber of commerce and even a tenure as president
1-22     of the school board; and
1-23           WHEREAS, This energetic Lone Star resident has  made many
1-24     plans for his retirement; Dr. Matthes intends to continue his
 2-1     missionary work, raise cattle on his ranch in Blessing, and pursue
 2-2     his love of river rafting and to spend more time with his family;
 2-3     and
 2-4           WHEREAS, Since 1950, Dr. Matthes has been accompanied in life
 2-5     by his loving wife, Betty Jean, and their union has been blessed
 2-6     with five children, Michael, Patrick, Margaret, Douglas, and Ellen,
 2-7     and 15 grandchildren; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, Generations of Bay City residents have called Fred
 2-9     Matthes their doctor, and it is a great pleasure to join them in
2-10     saluting this extraordinary pediatrician, community volunteer, and
2-11     family man at this time; now, therefore, be it
2-12           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-13     Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. Fred Matthes on the occasion of
2-14     his retirement and extend to him warmest best wishes for great
2-15     happiness in the years to come; and, be it further
2-16           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-17     prepared for Dr.  Matthes as an expression of high regard by the
2-18     Texas House of Representatives.