R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, It gives the members of this chamber great pleasure 1-2 to recognize the Reverend Buddy Owens for his outstanding 1-3 dedication to the young children of Texas and to the Rio Grande 1-4 Children's Home; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The contributions made to the community by Mr. Owens 1-6 were celebrated with an appreciation dinner on February 25, 1999, 1-7 at the McAllen Tourist Center, and this event provided an excellent 1-8 opportunity for local citizens to express their profound gratitude 1-9 for the work of this distinguished gentleman; and 1-10 WHEREAS, While working as a sixth grade teacher, Mr. Owens 1-11 shared ideas with his students about building a home for dependent, 1-12 neglected, and orphaned children, and with the support of 1-13 schoolchildren and his own personal drive this visionary man made 1-14 his dream a reality; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Mr. Owens's mission in life has been defined by 1-16 Psalm 82:3, which reads, "Defend the poor and fatherless; do 1-17 justice to the afflicted and needy," and taking that into 1-18 consideration he and his wife, Mary, moved into the first cottage 1-19 built for the Rio Grande Children's Home on April 5, 1964; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Since that day, the Rio Grande Children's Home has 1-21 grown from 40 acres to a campus of more than 160 acres with a 1-22 chapel, school facilities, the Catfish Palace, and a thrift store; 1-23 this vision would never have become a reality if Mr. and Mrs. Owens 1-24 and the staff had not dedicated their time and energy to providing 2-1 an invaluable service for young children; and 2-2 WHEREAS, At this time it is most fitting that we recognize 2-3 Mr. Owens for his many years of valuable service to the Lone Star 2-4 State and laud his commitment to improving and enriching the lives 2-5 of the children of Texas; now, therefore, be it 2-6 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-7 Legislature hereby commend the Reverend Buddy Owens for his fine 2-8 work with the Rio Grande Children's Home and extend to him sincere 2-9 best wishes for success and happiness in the future; and, be it 2-10 further 2-11 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-12 prepared for Mr. Owens as an expression of high regard by the Texas 2-13 House of Representatives. Gutierrez _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1070 was adopted by the House on May 28, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House