By Maxey                                               H.R. No. 244
         77R5705 WMS-F                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Burl Davis has served as the bookkeeper for the
 1-2     Texas AFL-CIO, the state's labor federation, for nearly 40 years;
 1-3     and
 1-4           WHEREAS, During that time, Mr. Davis kept impeccable
 1-5     financial records, making certain that all receipts and
 1-6     expenditures of the Texas AFL-CIO were accounted for properly, and
 1-7     his skills were consistently and quietly recognized in the
 1-8     controversy-free results of annual independent audits of the
 1-9     organization's finances; and
1-10           WHEREAS, In this vital role, Mr. Davis supported the
1-11     integrity of the state labor federation, enabled the federation to
1-12     pursue its mission free of audit concerns, and faithfully served
1-13     the needs of a membership that stands at 230,000 Texans; and
1-14           WHEREAS, Throughout this time, he exhibited the gentlest of
1-15     souls, making hundreds of friends and no enemies that can be
1-16     identified; and
1-17           WHEREAS, Mr. Davis is the master of the G-rated joke, telling
1-18     20,000 (at approximately the rate of two per work day) during his
1-19     career, and lightening the atmosphere in his workplace; and
1-20           WHEREAS, Burl Davis announced his retirement would be
1-21     effective on September 30, 2000, but remained in his position on a
1-22     contract basis until January 31, 2001, to train his successor, and
1-23     that action is indicative of the dedication and professionalism he
1-24     exhibited throughout his remarkable career; now, therefore, be it
 2-1           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
 2-2     Legislature hereby commend Burl Davis and extend to him best wishes
 2-3     for a happy retirement, free of spreadsheets and adding machines,
 2-4     as he pursues his plans to settle in his family's homestead in Van
 2-5     Alstyne; and, be it further
 2-6           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
 2-7     prepared for Mr. Davis as an expression of high regard by the Texas
 2-8     House of Representatives in recognition of his four decades of
 2-9     honorable service in support of the working people of this state.