By Ramsay                                              H.R. No. 698
         77R11491 GMW-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Max D. Newton's dedication to the improvement of
 1-2     telephone service in East Texas and across the state is most
 1-3     impressive, and it is indeed a pleasure to recognize this esteemed
 1-4     gentleman at this time; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, A native of Wood County, Mr. Newton graduated from
 1-6     Winnsboro High School and Texas A&M University and later received
 1-7     the honorary chapter and state farmer's degree from FFA; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, In 1970, this hardworking Texan joined the Peoples
 1-9     Telephone Cooperative, Inc., and in the ensuing 31 years he has
1-10     been invaluable to its continued growth and prosperity; for the
1-11     past 27 years he has been its general manager, and today he
1-12     adroitly manages not only Peoples Telephone but also Peoples
1-13     Wireless, Peoples Communication, and Peoples Telecommunication;
1-14     moreover, he oversees 80 employees and is responsible for more than
1-15     13,000 access lines and net assets of over $52 million; and
1-16           WHEREAS, In addition to facilitating expansion and technology
1-17     upgrades for Peoples Telephone, Mr. Newton has made notable
1-18     contributions as a member of the boards of directors and in
1-19     positions of leadership for many noteworthy professional
1-20     organizations; he has been active with the National Telephone
1-21     Cooperative Association, which recognized him three times with its
1-22     Excellence in Leadership Award, and he has served on the board and
1-23     as budget and finance chairman of the National Telcom Corporation,
1-24     as chairman of the Communications and Service Supply Association
 2-1     board, and as president of Texas Statewide Telephone Coop, Inc.;
 2-2     and
 2-3           WHEREAS, This civic-minded gentleman was on the Winnsboro ISD
 2-4     Board of Directors for 13 years and was board president for 5
 2-5     years, and he currently is a member of the Presbyterian Hospital
 2-6     Board; furthermore, he helped organize the Wood County National
 2-7     Bank in Quitman and served on its board from 1980 to 1999, and he
 2-8     currently serves on its advisory board; and
 2-9           WHEREAS, Mr. Newton is planning to retire on June 30, 2001,
2-10     and it is truly appropriate to take this opportunity to pay tribute
2-11     to him for his decades of devotion to his profession and his
2-12     community; now, therefore, be it
2-13           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-14     Legislature hereby recognize Max D. Newton for his commitment to
2-15     the telephone industry and his fellow Texans and extend to him
2-16     sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it
2-17     further
2-18           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-19     prepared for Mr. Newton as an expression of high regard by the
2-20     Texas House of Representatives.