By Seaman H.R. No. 144 77R880 MMS-D 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.