1-1 ****** NEED TWO-PAGE HEADER ****** 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 819 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 1-4 recognize James Grayson for his 55 years of loyal service with the 1-5 Houston District of the Texas Department of Transportation; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Mr. Grayson began his career in 1946 as a laborer 1-7 who helped to draft work for maintenance projects; in 1956, he 1-8 earned his engineer's license after attending night classes at the 1-9 University of Houston; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Since joining the department, Mr. Grayson has played 1-11 a role in many of the most monumental changes in Houston's highway 1-12 system; he has been involved in such notable projects as the building 1-13 of Interstate 45, the Washburn Tunnel, the Baytown Tunnel, the 1-14 Texas 159 bridge over the Brazos River, the Quintana swing bridge, 1-15 and the Texas 146 Fred Hartman Bridge; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Associated with the department for more than 65 1-17 percent of its existence, Mr. Grayson has known it as the Texas 1-18 Highway Department, the State Department of Highways and Public 1-19 Transportation, and the Texas Department of Transportation; over 1-20 the years, he has witnessed the development of numerous, 1-21 labor-saving, technological advancements, including the invention 1-22 of the computer chip for hand-held calculators; and 2-1 WHEREAS, For the last 55 years, Mr. Grayson has handled his 2-2 far-reaching responsibilities with exceptional skill and dedication, 2-3 and he continues to work hard every day to help make the bridges and 2-4 roads of Texas safe for its citizens; and 2-5 WHEREAS, An exemplary and distinguished gentleman, 2-6 James Grayson is beloved and respected by his colleagues at the 2-7 Texas Department of Transportation, and he deserves recognition 2-8 for his years of outstanding service; now, therefore, be it 2-9 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-10 77th Legislature, hereby commend James Grayson on his exceptional 2-11 career and his invaluable contributions to the Houston District of 2-12 the Texas Department of Transportation and to the citizens of our 2-13 state; and, be it further 2-14 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-15 James Grayson as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. 2-16 Bernsen 2-17 ______________________________________ 2-18 President of the Senate 2-19 I hereby certify that the above 2-20 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-21 on April 25, 2001. 2-22 ______________________________________ 2-23 Secretary of the Senate 2-24 ______________________________________ 2-25 Member, Texas Senate