1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1143 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 1-4 recognize Perry M. Simmons on the auspicious occasion of his 1-5 81st birthday on May 24, 2001; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Born on May 24, 1920, in Lake, Mississippi, Perry 1-7 has been a Baytown resident for 63 years; Mr. Simmons has been 1-8 happily married to his wonderful wife, Bernice Hlanak Simmons, for 1-9 51 years, and they have two daughters and four grandchildren; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Mr. Simmons proudly served his country during 1-11 World War II as a member of the United States Navy; he was a 1-12 communications officer aboard the USS LST 709, which carried 1-13 General MacArthur back to the Philippines; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Perry Simmons served in the United States Navy from 1-15 1942 to 1946 and was awarded four combat medals plus the Philippine 1-16 Liberation Medal; he also saw action in the Leyte Gulf, in one of 1-17 the world's greatest naval battles; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Perry attended The University of Texas at Austin 1-19 after the war and obtained his bachelor's degree in journalism 1-20 in 1948; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Mr. Simmons has had several successful careers, 1-22 including a 14-year period in which he was Community Liaison for 1-23 Senator Lindsay during the senator's career as Harris County Judge; 2-1 and 2-2 WHEREAS, A member of the Baytown City Council for nine 2-3 years, Mr. Simmons served as chairman of a committee in 1991 that 2-4 changed the name of Interstate 10 to the Baytown East Freeway; in 2-5 recognition of all that he had accomplished on behalf of Baytown, 2-6 the West Main Bridge was renamed the Perry Simmons Bridge; and 2-7 WHEREAS, A member of various organizations, Perry Simmons 2-8 believes in returning value to his community; he has been a 2-9 member of the West Baytown Kiwanis Club, the Navy League of the 2-10 United States, and the Baytown/West Chambers County Economic 2-11 Development Foundation Board of Directors; and 2-12 WHEREAS, Vitally interested in the welfare and progress of 2-13 his fellowman, Perry Simmons continues to contribute much of his 2-14 time and energy to his community; now, therefore, be it 2-15 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-16 77th Legislature, hereby extend best wishes to Perry M. Simmons 2-17 on the occasion of his 81st birthday on May 24, 2001; and, be it 2-18 further 2-19 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-20 him as an expression of highest esteem from the Texas Senate. 2-21 Lindsay 2-22 ______________________________________ 2-23 President of the Senate 2-24 I hereby certify that the above 2-25 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-26 on May 22, 2001. 2-27 ______________________________________ 2-28 Secretary of the Senate 2-29 ______________________________________ 2-30 Member, Texas Senate