By Madden                                              H.R. No. 546
         77R2929 MDM-D                           
                                 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.