By Smithee H.R. No. 1207 76R13719 JBR-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The recent passing of Orvil Gene "Speedy" Nieman on 1-2 April 19, 1999, at the age of 70, has brought a great loss to the 1-3 family and many friends of this beloved gentleman; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A Lamesa native, Mr. Nieman graduated from Lamesa 1-5 High School before serving his country during the Korean War as a 1-6 member of the U.S. Coast Guard; upon returning to civilian life he 1-7 finished his education at Texas Tech University and married the 1-8 former Lavon Stewart; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Mr. Nieman's career as a journalist and publisher 1-10 spanned 46 years and began in his hometown, where he worked as 1-11 sports editor for the Lamesa Daily Reporter; he later worked as a 1-12 writer for the San Angelo Standard-Times and the Midland 1-13 Reporter-Telegram and was an editor at the Lamb County Leader and 1-14 Brownfield News, as well as a partner and publisher of the Slaton 1-15 Slatonite; and 1-16 WHEREAS, In 1972, this visionary gentleman moved to Hereford 1-17 to serve as publisher for the Hereford Brand and as president of 1-18 North Plains Printing, and his tenure lasted for 26 years; in 1-19 addition, he is a past president of the Texas Press Association, 1-20 the Panhandle Press Association, and the West Texas Press 1-21 Association and is a former director of the Texas Newspaper 1-22 Association; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Affectionately nicknamed "Speedy" by his high school 1-24 track coaches, Mr. Nieman was the recipient of a variety of awards 2-1 for his valued contributions to society and the world of print 2-2 media, and among those honors he received were Texas Tech 2-3 University's Outstanding Alumnus Award, the Harold Hudson Memorial 2-4 Newspaper Award, the Hereford Regional Medical Center's Outstanding 2-5 Support Award, Hereford's 1989 Citizen of the Year Award, Slaton's 2-6 Man of the Year in 1979, Hereford's Bull Chip Award, and the Texas 2-7 Press Association's Golden 50 Award in 1998, and he was inducted 2-8 into the Panhandle Press Association's Hall of Fame in 1996; and 2-9 WHEREAS, The world of print media was not the only realm 2-10 touched by Mr. Nieman, as his presence was clearly felt in his 2-11 community as a member and deacon of the First Baptist Church of 2-12 Hereford, president of the Hereford Lions Club and Deaf Smith 2-13 Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the United Way, chairman of the 2-14 Hereford Hustlers, and as a founder of the Hereford Christmas 2-15 Stocking Fund; and 2-16 WHEREAS, Those who were privileged to share the love and 2-17 friendship of Orvil Gene "Speedy" Nieman will long miss his 2-18 presence, and though he is gone from this world, his spirit 2-19 continues to live on in our hearts and minds; now, therefore, be it 2-20 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-21 Legislature hereby honor the memory of Orvil Gene "Speedy" Nieman 2-22 and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his 2-23 wife, Lavon Nieman; to his sons, Craig Nieman and Steve Nieman; to 2-24 his two grandchildren; and to the many other relatives and friends 2-25 of this esteemed Hereford resident; and, be it further 2-26 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-27 prepared for the members of his family, and that when the Texas 3-1 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 3-2 Orvil Gene "Speedy" Nieman.