By Gutierrez                                          H.R. No. 1070
         76R17039 JBR-D                           
                                 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.