H.C.R. No. 14 



HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, Pittsburg Mayor D. H. Abernathy is retiring from 
public service in 2006, providing an ideal time to recognize this 
exemplary Texan for his more than 50 years of work in behalf of his 
community; and
	WHEREAS, The great-great-great-nephew of Major W. H. Pitts, 
the man for whom Pittsburg was named, Mayor Abernathy was born to 
Walter and Callie Mae Abernathy and graduated from Pittsburg High 
School in 1929; he earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical 
engineering from the University of Oklahoma and worked in Oklahoma 
and Arkansas before returning to his hometown to serve as the city 
electrical inspector for 23 years and to work for the Lone Star 
Steel Company, where he was employed from 1947 until his retirement 
as division manager in 1977; and
	WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan first embarked on his career in 
public service in 1949 when he was elected to the Pittsburg City 
Council; five years later, he began his remarkable 52-year tenure 
as mayor of Pittsburg, and during his combined 57 years of service 
on the city council, he was absent from only eight meetings; and
	WHEREAS, Mayor Abernathy brought this same commitment to 
numerous civic organizations as well; a former president of the 
Camp County Chamber of Commerce, the East Texas Council of 
Governments, and the Texas Municipal League, to name but a few of 
the organizations he has led, he has also given of his time and 
talents to First Methodist Church, the statewide Fire Advisory 
Committee for the Texas Forest Service, the Camp County Arts 
Council, the Northeast Texas Economic Development District, Inc., 
executive committee, and the Camp County Ambulance Service; and
	WHEREAS, Especially devoted to transportation issues, Mayor 
Abernathy has made more presentations before the Texas Department 
of Transportation than any other individual; his efforts have 
resulted in a variety of significant improvements, including the 
widening of several highways and the construction of the Green 
Carpet Memorial Route and Loop 179, which has been named D. H. 
Abernathy Boulevard in his honor; furthermore, he helped found and 
served as president of the East Texas Gulf Highway Association and 
was a member of the Texas Good Roads/Transportation Association for 
18 years; and
	 WHEREAS, Mayor Abernathy has been the recipient of countless 
honors recognizing his important contributions to his community, 
including Man of the Year awards from the Camp County Chamber of 
Commerce and Pittsburg Business and Professional Women; the Texas 
State Highway Commission, now the Texas Department of 
Transportation, presented him with a Road Hand Award, its highest 
honor, and he has received recognition from the FFA, First 
Methodist Church, and the Shriners of Pittsburg, as well as several 
gubernatorial commendations; and
	WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mayor Abernathy has enjoyed 
the love and support of his wife, Laverne, their children, Mary Lou, 
David, and Betty Ann, and their grandchildren and 
great-grandchildren; and
	WHEREAS, Embodying the highest ideals of public service, 
D. H. Abernathy has made a lasting contribution to his state, and it 
is indeed an honor to commend him for his years of service and 
dedication and for the myriad ways he has enhanced the quality of 
life for his fellow citizens of Pittsburg; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas, 
3rd Called Session, hereby recognize D. H. Abernathy on the 
occasion of his retirement as mayor of Pittsburg and extend to him 
warmest best wishes for the future; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mayor Abernathy as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives and Senate.

                                                                          Hughes




______________________________              ______________________________
 
   President of the Senate                               Speaker of the House      

	I certify that H.C.R. No. 14 was adopted by the House on April 
27, 2006, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House   

	I certify that H.C.R. No. 14 was adopted by the Senate on May 
1, 2006, by a viva-voce vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                      Secretary of the Senate   



APPROVED: __________________                                                
 
                Date                                                         




 
         __________________                                              
 
              Governor