By Edwards                                            H.R. No. 1166
         76R17074 WMS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor
 1-2     Lawrence Collins for his outstanding contributions as director of
 1-3     the House Appropriations Committee; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Mr. Collins has served the House Appropriations
 1-5     Committee with distinction for the past three years, and his post
 1-6     during the 76th Legislative Session has required him to be
 1-7     responsible for all budgetary and policy information; throughout
 1-8     his fine tenure, this noteworthy number-cruncher has more than
 1-9     fulfilled his duties, for he has remained calm and, in fact,
1-10     downright alert at all times despite maintaining a pace more often
1-11     linked to marathoners than to state employees; and
1-12           WHEREAS, A graduate of Whittier College in California, which
1-13     also counts President Richard M. Nixon as an alumnus, he previously
1-14     devoted his skills as a criminal justice analyst during the 75th
1-15     Legislative Session; and
1-16           WHEREAS, Since obtaining his current position, this
1-17     naturalized Austinite has successfully resisted any and all
1-18     attempts by chairman Rob Junell and other West Texas committee
1-19     members to turn him into a real Texan, preferring instead to blend
1-20     in with the locals by wearing sandals and eating at vegetarian
1-21     restaurants; he also relies heavily on the city's public transit
1-22     system as his primary mode of transportation, and those who know
1-23     him best are convinced that he takes the bus for purely altruistic
1-24     reasons that have nothing to do with the fact that he does not own
 2-1     a working vehicle; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, An avid devotee of the Texas Chili Parlor, although
 2-3     he refrains from ordering the chili, Mr. Collins is also known for
 2-4     his waterskiing adventures and his formidable skills as a barbecue
 2-5     chef; and
 2-6           WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure with the House Appropriations
 2-7     Committee Lawrence Collins has demonstrated a high degree of sanity
 2-8     and professionalism, and it is most appropriate that he be honored
 2-9     for his significant accomplishments at this time; now, therefore,
2-10     be it
2-11           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-12     Legislature hereby commend Lawrence Collins for his exemplary
2-13     service as director of the House Appropriations Committee and
2-14     extend to him sincere best wishes for a happy and rewarding
2-15     interim; and, be it further
2-16           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-17     prepared for Mr. Collins as an expression of high regard by the
2-18     Texas House of Representatives.