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By: Flynn H.R. No. 30
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Honorable Bill Hollowell of Grand Saline truly
merits special legislative recognition for his years of outstanding
service to the State of Texas and to his country; and
WHEREAS, Born in 1928, this native Texan graduated from Grand
Saline High School and earned a bachelor's degree from East Texas
Baptist University in 1947 and a law degree from Baylor University
in 1951; a lifelong learner, Mr. Hollowell has undertaken
additional academic studies throughout his career, earning a master
of laws degree from The University of Texas at Austin in 1967, a
second bachelor of science degree from the University of the State
of New York Regents College in 1986 and, as recently as 1999, a
bachelor of arts degree from Thomas A. Edison State College in
Trenton, New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hollowell began his exemplary military career in
1948 when he enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard, performing
duty with both the 36th Infantry and 49th Armored Divisions; in
1951, he transferred to the 181st Fighter Squadron of the Texas Air
National Guard and the following year was commissioned a second
lieutenant; he was appointed state judge advocate of the Texas Army
and Air National Guard and State Guard in 1963, a position he held
for five years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hollowell was assigned as deputy chief of staff
at Camp Mabry in 1974, where he assisted in the overall supervision
of combat readiness training and operations of all units of the
Texas Air National Guard; he was federally recognized as a
brigadier general in 1977, a major general in 1981, and a brevet
lieutenant general in 1987, and his many military decorations and
awards include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Air
Force Commendation Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal; after
his last assignment as Air National Guard assistant to the director
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Major General Hollowell
became a member of the U.S. Air Force Retired Reserve; and
WHEREAS, In 1957, Mr. Hollowell began his distinguished
tenure in the Texas House of Representatives, where he served until
1967 and again from 1973 to 1991 for a total of 14 terms and 28
years; he served as chair of the Public Lands and Buildings, State
Affairs, General Investigating, and House Ethics Committees and
authored four constitutional amendments and numerous bills;
serving on the Legislative Budget Board, the Joint Conference
Committee on Appropriations, the Texas Legislative Council, and,
for one term, as Speaker Pro Tempore of the house, he was Dean of the
House when he retired in 1991; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Mr. Hollowell has served as legal
advisor to the clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, director
of hearings and enforcement for the Texas Water Quality Board,
instructor of government at Henderson County Junior College, and
delegate to the Texas Constitutional Convention; since his
retirement from the legislature in 1991, he has conducted a
successful private law practice and worked for Congressman Ralph M.
Hall in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, The myriad accomplishments of this remarkable Texan
in the military, legislative, legal, and academic arenas are
innumerable, and it is truly a pleasure to recognize his
outstanding professional achievements and contributions to the
State of Texas and to the country; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas
Legislature, 5th Called Session, hereby commend the Honorable Bill
Hollowell on his many years of public service and that he be
extended sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for former State Representative Bill Hollowell as an
expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.