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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The citizens of Texas lost an inspired advocate for |
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the state's wildlife and natural resources with the passing of John |
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D. Parker of Lufkin on January 26, 2009, at the age of 73; and |
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WHEREAS, Possessing a deep love of nature, Mr. Parker was |
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appointed as a commissioner for the Texas Parks and Wildlife |
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Department in 2003 after a enjoying a successful career as a home |
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builder; during his time on the TPWD nine-member commission, he |
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helped lead efforts to obtain increased funding for state and local |
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parks and ably carried out the duties of his position until the time |
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of his death; and |
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WHEREAS, John Parker was born on June 17, 1935, in Shidler, |
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Oklahoma, the son of Peggy and Vol Parker; during his 21-year career |
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in the residential construction industry, he served as president of |
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Parker Homes, which includes divisions in Lufkin and Abilene; |
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widely respected by his colleagues, he was director of the National |
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Association of Home Builders, president of the Deep East Texas |
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Association of Builders, and area vice president of the Texas |
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Association of Builders; moreover, his efforts to establish the |
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Texas Residential Construction Commission in the 78th Texas |
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Legislature earned him the President's Award from the Texas |
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Association of Builders in 2004; and |
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WHEREAS, An avid outdoorsman, Mr. Parker contributed to |
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numerous conservation organizations; he was national trustee and |
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Texas state chair for Ducks Unlimited and president for both the |
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Cherokee and the Angelina Wildlife Associations, in addition to |
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many other affiliations; his work at the TPWD began in November |
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2003, when Governor Rick Perry selected him as a commissioner; his |
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tenure extended for more than five years and was highlighted by his |
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focus on youth outreach programs and his support for a new fish |
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hatchery in Jasper as well as his contributions toward |
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reinvigorating the parks system; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Parker was an active member of the congregation |
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of Denman Avenue Baptist Church, and he enjoyed the love and support |
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of his wife, Barbara, and the other members of his family; in all |
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aspects of his life, John Parker was known for his determination and |
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hard work, and by devoting himself to the preservation of the |
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state's natural treasures, he realized many admirable |
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accomplishments that will be appreciated by Texans for years to |
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come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of John D. Parker and |
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extend deepest condolences to the members of his family: to his |
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wife, Barbara S. Parker; to his sons, Adam Parker and his wife, |
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Rosanne, Alex Parker and his wife, Linda, and Arthur Parker; to his |
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grandchildren, Caleb Parker and his wife, Samantha, Maigan Parker, |
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Luke McCreary, and Wil McCreary and his wife, Cassie; to his |
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great-grandson, Jacob McCreary; to his sister, Ramona Buescher; and |
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to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of |
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John D. Parker. |
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McReynolds |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 481 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the House on March 5, 2009. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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