R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, September 30, 2000, marked the end of a
 1-2     distinguished tenure for Allen Zan Matthies as he retired from his
 1-3     position as a Pecos County Extension agent after nearly 20 years of
 1-4     devoted service; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, A native Texan, Mr. Matthies was born in Seguin and
 1-6     spent most of his formative years in Ganado on the family ranch; he
 1-7     received his teacher's certification and bachelor's degree in
 1-8     animal science from Texas A&I University, later returning to school
 1-9     and earning his master of science degree in range/animal science
1-10     from Sul Ross State University in 1992; and
1-11           WHEREAS, After four years as a teacher of vocational
1-12     agriculture at Eagle Pass High School, Mr. Matthies began serving
1-13     as an extension agent for Maverick County in 1967; his five years
1-14     of experience as an agent coupled with the knowledge and insight he
1-15     gained over the next decade allowed this esteemed Texan to bring a
1-16     host of fresh and innovative ideas to his position with Pecos
1-17     County; and
1-18           WHEREAS, Mr. Matthies joined the Extension Agency staff in
1-19     Pecos County in 1982, and he has been instrumental in numerous
1-20     county, state, and international endeavors, including the
1-21     construction of the new District Six  TAEX Center, a study of the
1-22     county's aquaculture, and the organization of the Alliance of
1-23     Northeast Chihuahua and West Texas, an effort to increase trade and
1-24     work relations between Texas and Mexico; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, Renowned for his hard work and dedication,
 2-2     Mr. Matthies has garnered many accolades through the years,
 2-3     including the Distinguished Achievement Award for Community
 2-4     Development from the TAEX Service Specialists Association, the
 2-5     Texas A&M University Agriculture Vice Chancellor's Award in
 2-6     Excellence for Outstanding Contributions and Performance, the Texas
 2-7     Agricultural Extension Service Superior Service Award for County
 2-8     Agent, and Outstanding County Extension Agent by the Texas Sheep
 2-9     and Goat Association; in addition, the Maverick County Junior
2-10     Livestock Show Barn and Extension Office was recently dedicated to
2-11     this fine individual in recognition of his diligence in bringing
2-12     the project to fruition; and
2-13           WHEREAS, Mr. Matthies, who is also a 32nd degree Mason and a
2-14     member of the Episcopal Church, has been an invaluable asset to
2-15     Pecos County and Texas, and it is most fitting to honor his
2-16     noteworthy professional accomplishments at this time; now,
2-17     therefore, be it
2-18           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-19     Legislature hereby express its appreciation to Allen Zan Matthies
2-20     for his years of dedicated service to the citizens of this state
2-21     and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success and
2-22     happiness; and, be it further
2-23           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-24     prepared for Mr. Matthies as an expression of high regard by the
2-25     Texas House of Representatives.
                                                                     Gallego
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 268 was adopted by the House on April
         20, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House