R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of former Wylie mayor John Weldon Akin 1-2 on August 5, 1999, at the age of 79, brought a great loss to the 1-3 many friends and relatives of this esteemed gentleman; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Born on April 24, 1920, in Princeton, Texas, 1-5 Mr. Akin graduated from Wylie High School and was a resident of 1-6 that city for 40 years; and 1-7 WHEREAS, He proudly served his country as a member of the 1-8 United States Marine Corps in the Guadalcanal, New Guinea, Okinawa, 1-9 and Northern China campaigns during World War II, earning the rank 1-10 of scout sniper sergeant; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Elected to serve three terms as the mayor of Wylie, 1-12 Mr. Akin also shared his leadership qualities as a member of 1-13 Wylie's planning and zoning commission and as a member of city 1-14 council; further, he was instrumental in the establishment of the 1-15 Collin County Community College system; and 1-16 WHEREAS, A retired railroad executive, Mr. Akin was devoted 1-17 to the support and betterment of his fellowman; he attained the 1-18 rank of master mason in the Masonic Order and served 36 years as a 1-19 deacon at First Baptist Church, where, in 1997, he was named deacon 1-20 emeritus; and 1-21 WHEREAS, In recognition of his myriad contributions to the 1-22 area, in 1982 the Collin County Commissioners Court named a road in 1-23 honor of Mr. Akin; and 1-24 WHEREAS, With his wife, the former Pauline Jeanette Green, 2-1 Mr. Akin enjoyed a happy and fulfilling union for 59 years, which 2-2 was blessed with two daughters; through the years their family was 2-3 further enhanced with the addition of eight cherished grandchildren 2-4 and five great-grandchildren; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Those who were privileged to share the friendship of 2-6 John Akin will long miss his presence, and he will surely be 2-7 remembered with great affection and admiration for many years to 2-8 come; now, therefore, be it 2-9 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-10 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable John 2-11 Akin and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to 2-12 his wife, Pauline Akin; to his daughters and sons-in-law, Charlotte 2-13 and Jim Jorgensen and Paula and Cliff Taylor; to his sister, Sue 2-14 Riddle; to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and to the 2-15 many other friends and relatives of this fine man; and, be it 2-16 further 2-17 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-18 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-19 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-20 John Weldon Akin. Madden _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 546 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 20, 2001. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House