By Hunter                                             H.R. No. 1027
         76R16802 GMW-D                           
                                 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.