By Keffer                                             H.R. No. 1074
         77R16386 MJS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Robert Echols of Albany has earned a 2001 Jefferson
 1-2     Award for his exemplary service to his community; and
 1-3           WHEREAS, This prestigious accolade is presented each year to
 1-4     Big Country citizens who have distinguished themselves by their
 1-5     outstanding volunteerism; established in 1972 by Economic Security
 1-6     2000 Founder and President Sam Beard, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis,
 1-7     and United States Senator Robert Taft, Jr., the award is part of a
 1-8     national program to recognize people across the country for going
 1-9     beyond the call of duty in their communities; and
1-10           WHEREAS, A native Texan, Mr. Echols was also chosen as Big
1-11     Country's lone representative to attend the national Jefferson
1-12     Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., where he will be in contention
1-13     to receive the coveted Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for
1-14     Greatest Community Service; and
1-15           WHEREAS, The manager of the Albany Motor Inn and a number of
1-16     other area motels, Mr. Echols has a long and distinguished history
1-17     of community service in the Lone Star State; he is currently
1-18     serving as an officer of the chamber of commerce and as chairman of
1-19     the Watt Matthews Day events, as well as president of the Texas
1-20     Forts Trail board and as a director on the Texas Midwest Community
1-21     Network; and
1-22           WHEREAS, Additionally, he is a member of the board of
1-23     directors for the Fort Griffin Fandangle and the Aztec Theater and
1-24     serves as chairman of the Shackelford County Courthouse restoration
 2-1     celebration and as church historian for the First Christian Church;
 2-2     Mr. Echols is actively involved in the Shackelford County Community
 2-3     Resource Center and also enjoys producing and acting in various
 2-4     productions at the Albany Mainstreet Playhouse; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, Mr. Echols's impressive record of service has
 2-6     accorded him  numerous accolades and distinctions, including
 2-7     Citizen of the Year, Masonic Regional Community Builder Award, and
 2-8     a Chamber President's Award; and
 2-9           WHEREAS, Through his valuable volunteer efforts, he has
2-10     diligently strived to make a lasting difference in his community;
2-11     with his hard work and commitment, Mr. Echols has proven himself to
2-12     be a leader whose immeasurable contributions will continue to
2-13     contribute to the well-being of our state for years to come; now,
2-14     therefore, be it
2-15           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-16     Legislature hereby commend Robert Echols for winning a 2001
2-17     Jefferson Award and congratulate him on his selection as Big
2-18     Country's representative to the national Jefferson Awards ceremony;
2-19     and, be it further
2-20           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-21     prepared for Mr. Echols as an expression of high regard by the
2-22     Texas House of Representatives.