SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 29

	WHEREAS, Blake Starkey of Palestine is retiring from his 
position as president and chief executive officer of Cartmell 
Home for Aged in June 2005, bringing to a close an exemplary 
25-year tenure with the institution; and

	WHEREAS, Mr. Starkey began his career with Cartmell 
Home for Aged in 1980, and his characteristic diligence and 
professionalism have greatly benefited residents and staff 
alike; under his leadership, Cartmell Home for Aged has 
expanded from a 60-bed facility with 40 employees to a 162-bed, 
180-employee facility, which is widely regarded as one of the 
finest nursing homes in the Lone Star State; the home continues 
to provide outstanding long-term care to its residents and offers 
assistance to many other elder-care organizations throughout the 
state that have adopted its innovative programs; and

	WHEREAS, A graduate of Sam Houston State University, 
Mr. Starkey earned a master's degree at the University of 
Oklahoma and completed the nursing home administrator's course 
at Tyler Junior College, where he graduated first in his class; 
he also had a 25-year career with the United States Army, serving 
in Vietnam, Germany, and the Panama Canal Zone and earning three 
Bronze Star Medals and three Army Commendation Medals; in 1987, 
he retired as a lieutenant colonel with the United States Army 
Transportation Corps; and

	WHEREAS, Although the demands on his time have been many, 
Mr. Starkey has managed to give back to his professional and 
civic communities through his involvement in a host of notable 
organizations; a former director of the Palestine Chamber of 
Commerce and of the Palestine Young Men's Christian Association, 
he has served as an instructor of midmanagement at Trinity Valley 
Community College and as president of the Palestine Community 
Concert Association; he has distinguished himself as a member 
of the Anderson County Community Fund Foundation Scholarship 
Committee and of The University of Texas at Tyler Palestine 
Campus Development Council; he has also been very active with 
the Palestine Rotary Club and with the Texas Association of Homes 
and Services for the Aging, which honored him in May 2005, with a 
Meritorious Service Award for his many contributions to the 
organization, including his service on the board of directors, 
the Legislative Task Force, and the Public Policy Committee; and

	WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Mr. Starkey has enjoyed 
the love and support of his wife, Peggy, their children, Blake 
and Eleanor, and their five grandchildren; and

	WHEREAS, Blake Starkey has set a sterling example of 
leadership to which all may aspire, and as he prepares to embark 
on the next chapter of his life, it is a pleasure to commend him 
for his years of dedication to our state's senior citizens; now, 
therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 
79th Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby congratulate 
Blake Starkey on his retirement as president and chief executive 
officer of Cartmell Home for Aged and extend to him heartfelt 
best wishes for the future; and, be it further

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




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on June 29, 2005.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate