R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The family and friends of William Henry "Bill"
 1-2     Mercer, Sr., of Edna, were deeply saddened by the passing of this
 1-3     esteemed Texan on January 10, 2001, at the age of 84; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Born on March 28, 1916, Mr. Mercer belonged to a
 1-5     pioneer Texas family, four generations removed from ancestors who
 1-6     arrived in Texas with Stephen F. Austin in 1822; many of his
 1-7     distinguished forebears include heroes and patriots of the Texas
 1-8     Revolution; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, Living through the Great Depression taught
1-10     Mr. Mercer resourcefulness and an appreciation for honest work; he
1-11     participated in the Civilian Conservation Corps and undertook
1-12     various professions, including playing semipro baseball and
1-13     welding; and
1-14           WHEREAS, During World War II, Mr. Mercer used his welding
1-15     expertise in work critical to the war effort and answered his
1-16     country's call by joining the United States Navy Seabees; and
1-17           WHEREAS, In 1947, Mr. Mercer established two companies,
1-18     Lolita Builders Supply and Mercer Construction Company, and in 1950
1-19     he moved them to Edna; in addition to possessing great business
1-20     acumen, Mr. Mercer harbored a deep compassion for people, as was
1-21     evidenced after Hurricane Carla devastated the small town;
1-22     demonstrating his altruism, he reserved his time and materials for
1-23     the immediate reconstruction of local hospitals, medical offices,
1-24     and schools while postponing repairs to his own home; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, Mercer Construction remained a viable and lasting
 2-2     enterprise through the years, evolving from building construction
 2-3     to water and sewer construction; after the company was made into a
 2-4     corporation, Mr. Mercer managed the business with the same honesty
 2-5     and high-quality customer service for which he had always been
 2-6     known; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, In 1991, the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce
 2-8     bestowed the much-deserved honor of "Business Person of the Year"
 2-9     on Mr. Mercer, and recently Mercer Construction renamed its
2-10     scholarship program for high school graduates to  the W. H. Mercer,
2-11     Sr., Memorial Scholarship Fund in his honor; and
2-12           WHEREAS, A devoted husband and father and successful and
2-13     respected businessman, Mr. Mercer continues to have a positive
2-14     impact on this world as his good spirit lives on in the hearts of
2-15     the many people he so deeply affected; now, therefore, be it
2-16           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-17     Legislature hereby honor the memory of William Henry Mercer, Sr.,
2-18     and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family:  to his
2-19     wife, Thelma Lea Shows Mercer; to his sons, W. H. "Billy" Mercer,
2-20     Jr., and his wife, Yvonne; Sherrel A. Mercer and his wife, Cecelia;
2-21     John D. Mercer and his wife, Anne; Marvin L. Mercer and his wife,
2-22     Glenda; and Pat Mercer and his wife, Jacque; to his sister, Frances
2-23     Ling; to his 14 grandchildren and  10 great-grandchildren; and to
2-24     all his other relatives and friends; and, be it further
2-25         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared
2-26     for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives
2-27     adjourns this day, it do so in memory of William Henry Mercer, Sr.
                                                                      Seaman
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 269 was unanimously adopted by a
         rising vote of the House on March 6, 2001.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House