By Brown                                              S.C.R. No. 17
         76R3073 GMW-D                           
                                CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, Thomas L. Heffernan has long been one of the Parks
 1-2     and Wildlife Department's most outstanding employees, and it is
 1-3     appropriate that we honor this distinguished gentleman for his four
 1-4     decades of dedicated service at this time; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Mr. Heffernan began his career with the department
 1-6     in 1958 as a seasonal technician after graduating from Sam Houston
 1-7     State University with a bachelor's degree in zoology; by 1962 he
 1-8     had advanced to the position of program leader and was an integral
 1-9     contributor to the Aransas Bay Area Oyster Program; and
1-10           WHEREAS, Beginning in 1975, Mr. Heffernan moved on to
1-11     administrative positions, serving as regional director for Coastal
1-12     Fisheries Region V until 1983 and as director of field operations
1-13     for Coastal Fisheries until 1992; since then he has served with the
1-14     utmost distinction as commercial liaison for the Coastal Fisheries
1-15     Division; and
1-16           WHEREAS, In 1998, this hardworking gentleman received the
1-17     Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission's Charles H. Lyles Award, a
1-18     fitting tribute to a man whose career has been characterized by
1-19     integrity and dedication; and
1-20           WHEREAS, Throughout his remarkable tenure, Mr. Heffernan's
1-21     skills in problem solving and public relations, and his ability to
1-22     effectively handle sensitive economic and sociological issues, have
1-23     proven to be invaluable assets to the Parks and Wildlife
1-24     Department, and his legacy of excellence will long be remembered;
 2-1     now, therefore, be it
 2-2           RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
 2-3     hereby honor Thomas L.  Heffernan on his 40 years of continuous
 2-4     service to the Parks and Wildlife Department and extend to him
 2-5     sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness in the
 2-6     years to come; and, be it further
 2-7           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
 2-8     prepared for Mr. Heffernan as an expression of high regard by the
 2-9     Texas House of Representatives and Senate.