H.R. No. 41

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Prominent Tyler insurance entrepreneur Billy Earl Hibbs passed away on November 5, 2005, at the age of 67, bringing a great loss to his East Texas community; and

WHEREAS, Born to Garlin Earl and Alma Brown Hibbs on September 25, 1938, in Quitman, Mr. Hibbs graduated from Quitman High School, where he met his future wife, Eugenia Stroud; the couple married in 1957 and were blessed with a son, Billy Earl Hibbs, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan bought a small Tyler insurance agency and developed it over the years into one of the largest insurance companies in the Southwest, Heartland Security Insurance Group, with more than 200 employees and six different operating divisions, including the retail insurance agency, Hibbs-Hallmark & Company, two third-party administrators, Claims Administrative Services and CCSI, a premium finance company, Premium Convenience Services, a wholesale broker and underwriter, Patriot National Underwriters, and a property casualty insurance company, Old Glory Insurance Company; in 2005, Hibbs-Hallmark & Company received a Torch Award from the Better Business Bureau for its exemplary marketplace ethics; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hibbs contributed tirelessly to his beloved community; as president of the East Texas Symphony Association, he was instrumental in relocating performances to the Cowan Center at The University of Texas at Tyler, and as president of the Tyler Civic Theatre, he oversaw construction of the Braithwaite Theatre and the opening of the Rogers Children's Theatre; he served as president of the Tyler Rotary Club and the Centurions of Tyler and was on the board of Leadership Tyler, the Tyler I.S.D. Foundation, the Tyler Chamber of Commerce, and the Better Business Bureau of Central East Texas, which he cofounded; moreover, he enjoyed membership in the Henry Bell Masonic Lodge and the Order of the Rose; in 1999, Mr. Hibbs formed the Hibbs Family Foundation in support of both nonprofit organizations and individuals; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his outstanding career and life of service, Mr. Hibbs garnered numerous awards; in 2004, Junior Achievement inducted him into its Business Hall of Fame and UT-Tyler made him a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, its honor business fraternity; the Tyler Rotary Club honored Mr. Hibbs by naming $1,000 donors to the club's foundation as Billy Hibbs Fellows; he had also been recognized by the Texas Legislature for his capable handling of the losses in the John Tyler High School fire; and

WHEREAS, A valued member of Marvin United Methodist Church, Mr. Hibbs served as an usher and was a former trustee; he attended the Pairs and Parents Sunday school class, where he enjoyed the fellowship of many; and

WHEREAS, Billy Hibbs derived great joy from his family, his career, and his community, and although his passing has left a void in the lives of those who knew and loved him, memories of his generosity and passion will live on in their hearts for years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Billy Earl Hibbs and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife of 48 years, Eugenia "Jeannie" Hibbs; to his son, Billy E. Hibbs, Jr., and his wife, Tisa Weiss Hibbs; to his grandchildren, Stratton Weiss Hibbs and London Elizabeth Hibbs; to his sisters, Dorma Shields and Betty Cassels; and to his many other relatives and friends; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Billy Earl Hibbs.

Goolsby

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 41 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 1, 2007.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House