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.