SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 871

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 
recognize Frank J. Deckert on the occasion of his retirement on 
May 31, 2003, as superintendent of the Big Bend National Park, 
which includes the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River; and

	WHEREAS, Frank Deckert has been an employee with the 
National Park Service since 1967, when he started his career 
as a park ranger and naturalist at Shenandoah National Park in 
Virginia; and

	WHEREAS, Over the years, Frank has traversed the country, 
accepting assignments with the National Park Service in 
Michigan, Nevada, Arizona, Alaska, Virginia, and New Mexico; 
he was at Big Bend National Park from 1975 to 1980 as chief of 
interpretation, and he was the superintendent at Carlsbad 
Caverns National Park just prior to returning to Big Bend; and

	WHEREAS, Frank was born in Fresno, California, and earned 
a bachelor of science degree in forest management from Humboldt 
State College in Arcata; before joining the National Park Service 
on a full-time basis, he was a seasonal employee in the Sequoia 
National Forest in a variety of positions; and

	WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Frank has been active 
in numerous community organizations; he was president of the 
Carlsbad Rotary Club and was a Scoutmaster in Colonial Heights, 
Virginia; he has served as a volunteer fireman and on numerous 
church committees; and

	WHEREAS, An award-winning author, Frank wrote Big Bend-- 
Three Steps to the Sky and the chapter on the Big Bend National 
Park in The Sierra Club Guides to the National Parks:  Desert 
Southwest; and

	WHEREAS, Over the years, he has received numerous service 
awards, including the Superior Service Award from the National 
Park Service and the Silver Beaver and God and Service awards 
from the Boy Scouts of America; he was named Rotarian of the Year 
by the Carlsbad Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary 
International; and

	WHEREAS, He is married to the former Gloria Quick of 
Waynesboro, Virginia, and the couple has three grown children 
and three grandchildren; and

	WHEREAS, An exemplary public servant and administrator, 
Frank Deckert is highly respected by his colleagues, and his 
dedicated service to the National Park Service and the Big Bend 
National Park will be greatly missed; now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 
78th Legislature, hereby commend Frank J. Deckert for his many 
years of outstanding service to the National Park Service and 
extend to him best wishes for the retirement years ahead; and, 
be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
Frank Deckert as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
                                                                           Madla




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on May 14, 2003.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate