R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of the Honorable John Douglas Wendell of
 1-2     Fulton on March 17, 2000, at the age of 77, brought great sorrow to
 1-3     the family and friends of this esteemed public servant; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Elected Aransas County judge on January 2, 1951,
 1-5     when he was 28 years old, Judge Wendell retired in 1990 after 39
 1-6     years in office; he enjoyed the distinction of being both the
 1-7     youngest county judge elected in Texas and the longest-serving
 1-8     county judge in the state; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, During his tenure, Judge Wendell played a major role
1-10     in putting Aransas County finances on a firm footing; he was also
1-11     instrumental in pushing through a number of major construction
1-12     projects, including the Aransas County Library, the new courthouse
1-13     and courthouse addition, the county tax office, the county's first
1-14     juvenile detention center, and renovations at the county jail; and
1-15           WHEREAS, Judge Wendell helped to acquire the Aransas County
1-16     Airport from the United States Navy after World War II and assisted
1-17     in its development, and he aided in planning and securing the land
1-18     for the State Highway 35 bypass; and
1-19           WHEREAS, In addition to the vital work he performed in the
1-20     county's quest for essential facilities, Judge Wendell initiated a
1-21     contract with The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
1-22     that provides for the treatment of indigent Aransas County
1-23     patients, and he served as superintendent of the Aransas County
1-24     Independent School District; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, Commended by colleagues for his fairness,
 2-2     compassion, commitment to high standards, and staunch dedication to
 2-3     Aransas County, Judge Wendell won the respect of all who knew him,
 2-4     and it is a privilege now to honor the memory of this outstanding
 2-5     Texan; now, therefore, be it
 2-6           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
 2-7     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable John
 2-8     Douglas Wendell and extend sincere sympathy to his loved ones: to
 2-9     his daughter, Debra Ann Wendell; to his sister, Yvonne Fairbrother,
2-10     and her husband, Tom Fairbrother; to his brother, Jerry Wendell,
2-11     and his wife, Jan Wendell; to his sisters-in-law, Yvonne Wendell
2-12     and Myrtle Wendell; and to his many other relatives and friends;
2-13     and, be it further
2-14           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-15     prepared for the  members of his family and that when the Texas
2-16     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
2-17     Judge John Douglas Wendell.
                                                                      Seaman
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 144 was unanimously adopted by a
         rising vote of the House on April 5, 2001.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House