H.R. No. 75 



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, J. J. Amaro retired from the board of trustees of the 
San Antonio Water System (SAWS) in February 2004, after rendering a 
decade of outstanding volunteer service to that utility and to the 
people of the Alamo City; and
	WHEREAS, Appointed to the board in 1994, two years after the 
City of San Antonio merged all of its water agencies into one body, 
Mr. Amaro has helped guide SAWS to its present position as one of 
the most innovative and highly regarded water systems in the 
country; while maintaining some of the lowest water rates in the 
state and nation, SAWS has garnered awards for environmental 
excellence, engineering excellence, wastewater treatment 
operations, financial reporting, youth education, and public 
information programs; and
	WHEREAS, During Mr. Amaro's tenure, SAWS has taken 
significant steps to promote water quality in the Edwards Aquifer 
recharge zone, implementing regulations and purchasing more than 
9,000 acres to protect that vital resource; in addition, the 
utility has developed a community-based master plan for the 
Mitchell Lake Wetlands project on the city's Southside; and
	WHEREAS, Measures to improve business operations have 
included three operational reviews to identify efficiency 
opportunities and a restructuring of water rates to achieve equity 
between residential and commercial customers and to encourage water 
conservation; the SAWS operating budget for fiscal year 2001 was 
reduced by $10 million, and SAWS bond ratings increased from A to 
AA; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Amaro and the board have overseen notable 
advances in customer service, such as the completion of a new call 
center, the institution of a single SAWS phone number for customer 
inquiries, and an expanded program to assist low-income households 
with their water-supply costs; the water bill/bill insert package 
designed by SAWS has been recognized as the best in the nation; and
	WHEREAS, Area citizens have been invited to take an active 
role in shaping agency plans and policies; SAWS has worked with 
citizens committees to formulate long-range planning and to 
restructure rates, appointed a permanent citizens committee to 
assess water-resources policies, plans, and projects, and created a 
Community Conservation Committee for citizen input on conservation 
programs; the utility has also instituted the state's first 
commercial water conservation program, an undertaking funded by 
local businesses; and
	WHEREAS, With the population of San Antonio projected to 
double over the next five decades, Mr. Amaro and his fellow trustees 
have devoted untold hours to SAWS as that agency has prepared to 
meet mounting demands for service; today the utility is working to 
implement a 50-year master plan that it developed and that the city 
council approved in 1998; SAWS has taken advantage of new 
technology to develop an aquifer storage and recovery system, 
concluded a number of arrangements to secure water from new 
sources, initiated the premier water recycling program in the 
country, and developed the top water conservation program in the 
state; and
	WHEREAS, SAWS has gained tremendously from Mr. Amaro's sound 
judgment and effective leadership, and it has not been alone in that 
good fortune; this esteemed gentleman, who serves as vice president 
for marketing with BudCo, also sits on the board of directors for 
the St. Peter/St. Joseph Children's Home and the United Negro 
College Fund; together with his family, he participates in the Feed 
the Homeless Program of the St. Vincent de Paul Society; and
	WHEREAS, J. J. Amaro has given unstintingly of his talents, 
energy, and expertise in behalf of San Antonio and his fellow 
citizens, and it is a pleasure to join in recognizing his 
immeasurable contributions to the betterment of this community; 
now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby honor J. J. Amaro on the 
occasion of his retirement from the San Antonio Water System Board 
of Trustees and extend to him profound gratitude for his many years 
of exemplary public service; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mr. Amaro as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.

                                                                          Puente

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 75 was adopted by the House on May 11, 
2004, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House