R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The retirement of Bob Wakefield as chief juvenile 1-2 probation officer of the Juvenile Justice Center in Abilene brings 1-3 to a close the distinguished career of a remarkable gentleman; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A graduate of Abilene High School in 1955, 1-5 Mr. Wakefield was pursuing a master's degree in education in 1962 1-6 when he took a night job as a juvenile detention officer in Dallas; 1-7 he then steadily advanced in the profession that proved to be his 1-8 calling, holding the positions of probation and parole officer, 1-9 probation chief, girls' home superintendent, and police youth 1-10 division head in cities across the Lone Star State; and 1-11 WHEREAS, He became the chief juvenile probation officer at 1-12 the Juvenile Justice Center in Abilene in 1978; in the ensuing 1-13 years he transformed a one-man operation without a single jail bed 1-14 into a department that now includes 60 employees, an operating 1-15 budget of $2.8 million, and 58 beds in two detention centers, 1-16 including a new $3.5 million facility; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Bringing humor as well as a concern for helping 1-18 families and the community to his job, Bob Wakefield has been 1-19 instrumental in rehabilitating and caring for countless children, 1-20 and it is indeed fitting to pay tribute to him for his many years 1-21 of hard work and dedication; now, therefore, be it 1-22 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 1-23 Legislature hereby recognize Bob Wakefield on the occasion of his 1-24 retirement and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued 2-1 success and happiness; and, be it further 2-2 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-3 prepared for Mr. Wakefield as an expression of high regard by the 2-4 Texas House of Representatives. Hunter _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1027 was adopted by the House on May 28, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House