By Goolsby H.R. No. 747 77R11145 MDM-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Central Insurance Companies marks a historic 1-2 milestone in 2001 as it commemorates 125 years of notable service, 1-3 and it is appropriate that the Texas House of Representatives 1-4 recognize this worthy organization; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Incorporated in 1876 as the Van Wert County Mutual 1-6 Fire Insurance Company of Van Wert, Ohio, Central Insurance 1-7 Companies began doing business in Texas in 1920; Dallas has been 1-8 the location of a regional office since 1952, and for the past two 1-9 decades C. W. "Chuck" Wassberg has managed that site; and 1-10 WHEREAS, President F. W. "Bill" Purmort III leads the company 1-11 today; since its founding, the management team has been guided by a 1-12 member of the Purmort family; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Central Insurance offers coverage for automobiles, 1-14 homes, and businesses through independent agents in 15 states, with 1-15 the Lone Star State accounting for a larger share of the company's 1-16 business than any other state; individuals representing Central 1-17 Insurance Companies include nearly all active past presidents of 1-18 the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas; and 1-19 WHEREAS, The company currently insures the automobiles of 1-20 more than 25,000 Texans, the homes of nearly 15,000 Texas 1-21 residents, and about 7,000 businesses in the state, and it has 1-22 earmarked $36 million in surplus to assure Texas policyholders of 1-23 sufficient resources to meet claimants' needs; and 1-24 WHEREAS, Central Insurance Companies has responded to the 2-1 insurance needs of countless Texans, and in doing so, it has been 2-2 of great benefit in the lives of its clients and to the economy of 2-3 the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it 2-4 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-5 Legislature hereby recognize Central Insurance Companies on the 2-6 occasion of its 125th anniversary and extend to its board of 2-7 directors, staff, and employees sincere best wishes for the future.