79R8342 MMS-D

By:  Zedler                                                       H.R. No. 712



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Jeff Williams of Arlington has been selected to 
receive the 2004 Tom Vandergriff Leadership Award from Young Men 
for Arlington; and
	WHEREAS, Raised in Sherman, Mr. Williams gave early evidence 
of the energetic drive and tireless desire to contribute to the 
broader good that have distinguished his adult career; in high 
school, he served as president of his senior class, the National 
Honor Society, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; as a 
student at Texas Tech University, he served as vice president of the 
student body, editor of the student magazine, and student lobbyist 
to the Texas Legislature and U.S. Congress; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Williams earned a bachelor's degree in civil 
engineering from Texas Tech in 1981 and went to work as a project 
engineer for a construction company in Wichita Falls; in 1984 he 
moved to Arlington to join Graham Associates, Inc., where he is now 
a partner and executive vice president; currently engaged in 
planning for Interstate Highway 30, he counts among his past 
projects such prominent area landmarks as the Ballpark in 
Arlington, the River Legacy Living Science Center, and the Parks 
Mall; and
	WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan has donated his professional 
services to countless community endeavors; he designed the 
preliminary site plan for the Rotary Sculpture Garden in 
Meadowbrook Park in Arlington, conducted a presentation to gain 
approval from the Park Board, and made other presentations to 
engender public support; he also donated the structural design for 
a monument in Gene Allen Park that was developed by artists in 
Arlington's sister city in Germany; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Williams has played a vital role in the 
Arlington Chamber of Commerce, where he presently serves on the 
board of directors, Economic Development Council, and Downtown 
Development Council; in addition, he chairs the chamber's Mobility 
Task Force and represents Arlington on the Regional Rail Corridor 
Study for the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex; and
	WHEREAS, After working in a professional capacity on the 
Living Science Center, Mr. Williams joined the River Legacy 
Foundation Board of Directors in 1996; he is presently serving his 
second term as board president, and under his able guidance, the 
foundation has been selected as the 2004 Organization of the Year by 
the Fort Worth Star-Telegram; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Williams and his wife, Karen, are the proud 
parents of three children, Natalie, Suzanne, and Ryan; through his 
dedicated support of organizations in which his son and daughters 
have been involved, Mr. Williams has given generously of his time to 
Arlington youth; one of the first mentors for the Richard Greene 
Scholars program, he has also served as a leader in the YMCA Guides 
and Princesses program and as a member of the YMCA Council of Elders 
and Board of Directors; and
	WHEREAS, He has shared his love of sports as a softball coach 
with the Arlington Girls Softball Association and as a baseball 
coach for the Arlington Optimist Senior division; his 1997 softball 
and 2003 baseball teams won the sportsmanship award, and his 
softball squad won three consecutive city championships; and
	WHEREAS, Together with his wife, Jeff Williams hosts the 
Martin High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes in his home 
every week; he also heads the Martin High School Choir Booster Club; 
and
	WHEREAS, A valued congregant of First Baptist Church, 
Mr. Williams presently chairs the Building and Drama Committees and 
serves as a youth camp counselor; and
	WHEREAS, For two decades, Jeff Williams has exemplified the 
qualities of citizenship that create strong, vibrant, and caring 
communities, and it is indeed a pleasure to join in honoring him at 
this time; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Jeff Williams on his receipt of the 
2004 Tom Vandergriff Leadership Award from Young Men for Arlington 
and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success in all 
his endeavors; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mr. Williams as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.