H.R. No. 624



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Vernon and Ruthe Jackson of Grand Prairie celebrated 
their 60th wedding anniversary on September 10, 2004, marking a 
notable milestone in their long and happy marriage; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson and the former Ruthe Thompson were 
joined in matrimony on September 10, 1944; they have been blessed 
with two daughters, Xanna Jackson Young and Jorja Jackson Clemson, 
and they have also welcomed five beloved grandchildren, Rendi, 
James, Spencer, Leanna, and Allison, and 11 great-grandchildren, 
Katie, Rebekah, Caleb, Sidney, Ethan, Katelyn, Blake, Cade, Allie, 
Luke, and Lane, into their family; and
	WHEREAS, Valued members of the Turnpike Church of Christ, Mr. 
and Mrs. Jackson have enjoyed successful careers and made 
innumerable contributions to the city they love to call home; the 
couple are former owners of Jackson Vending Supply, Inc., and 
though they sold the company in 1998, Mr. Jackson remains active in 
its operations as a consultant; and
	WHEREAS, Currently a member of the Friday Rotary Club, the 
Post-School PTA, and the Grand Prairie Historical Organization, 
among other noteworthy organizations, Mr. Jackson formerly served 
as a board member and president of the Grand Prairie Independent 
School District, as chairman of the Grand Prairie Urban 
Renewal-Community Renewal Commission, and as a board member of 
Christian College of the Southwest, now Amber University; and
	WHEREAS, His outstanding efforts have earned him the first 
Small Business Award from the local chamber of commerce, the board 
of trustees service award from Grand Prairie ISD, and recognition 
as a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International; and
	WHEREAS, Mrs. Jackson also has a sterling record of service 
and civic involvement; earning the prestigious Lady Bird Johnson 
Award and the Grand Prairie Bar Association's Liberty Bell 
Outstanding Citizen Award, she has given of her time and talents to 
such organizations as the PTA, the Grand Prairie Federation of 
Women's Clubs, the Grand Prairie Historical Organization, and the 
Grand Prairie Garden Club, to name a few; and
	WHEREAS, A registered professional parliamentarian and a 
member of the Grand Prairie City Council, she has served as the 
first woman to be mayor pro tempore of the Grand Prairie City 
Council, as the first woman president of the Grand Prairie Chamber 
of Commerce, as president of Soroptimist International of Grand 
Prairie, and as state president of Keep Texas Beautiful, Inc.; and
	WHEREAS, Together, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were acknowledged by 
the City of Grand Prairie, which renamed an outdoor learning center 
in the couple's honor, and their gracious and enduring volunteerism 
has led to many other recognitions and has gained the deep gratitude 
of countless people who have benefited from their work; and
	WHEREAS, For six decades this devoted couple have nurtured 
and sustained a special bond, while making lasting contributions to 
citizens of the Lone Star State, and their loving union and service 
to others are an inspiration to all who know them; now, therefore, 
be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Vernon and Ruthe Jackson on their 
60th wedding anniversary and extend to them sincere best wishes for 
continued happiness; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mr. and Mrs. Jackson as an expression of high regard by 
the Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                 Allen of Dallas

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 624 was adopted by the House on March 
17, 2005, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House