81R27508 JNC-D

By: Geren H.R. No. 2286

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, After more than 36 years of outstanding service with the Texas House of Representatives, esteemed Capitol staffer Janice Vastine is retiring in July 2009; and

WHEREAS, Though she was born in Mississippi and grew up in Louisiana, Ms. Vastine has embraced the Lone Star State as her own, a fact made evident by her notable career in state government; her tenure began in 1967 with the Welfare Department in the John H. Reagan Building; her first employment with the Texas House came two years later, when she worked for Representatives Maurice Angly, Jr., and John Poerner during the 61st Legislative Session; although she was the busy mother of three young children at the time, she stayed with her employers through the special sessions that summer before transferring to the Texas Attorney General's Office in the fall; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Vastine returned to the legislature briefly during her three-year tenure with Attorney General Crawford Martin, responding to a call for help during a period of transition taking place in the speaker's office; and

WHEREAS, On January 8, 1973, she made the house her permanent workplace, and since that time, she has distinguished herself in each of the capacities in which she has served; in addition to working for the Committee on House Administration and the speaker's office, she has been employed as house purchaser, director of finance, and manager of the Business Correspondence, Personnel and Staff Development, and Payroll and Personnel Departments; moreover, Ms. Vastine has been responsible for the Records Retention Schedule and the House Policies and Procedures Manual, and she has served as the coordinator of the Americans with Disabilities Act; and

WHEREAS, Throughout her decades of service, she has performed her duties with the enthusiasm of one who enjoys her job to the fullest; she has loved the ever-changing issues, the people, the politics, and the workplace itself, many nights leaving by a specific exit to catch the best view of the Capitol in all its glory; and

WHEREAS, While claiming for years she'd have to be forcibly removed from the building before she'd give up her job, Ms. Vastine had seriously underestimated the magnetic pull of her grandchildren, whose undeniable adoration of their grandmother will soon render her retirement a fait accompli; with her state employment coming to an end, she is looking forward to spending more time with her family, including her children and their spouses, Pamela and Blake Turner, Victoria and Michael Folger, and Bo and Florence Vastine, and most especially her eight beautiful grandchildren, Jake, Austin, Meaghan, Molly, Aidan, Kaylee, Sophie, and Oliver; her new status as a woman of leisure will also allow Ms. Vastine time to pursue her favorite hobbies, which include finding special antiques for herself and her loved ones and traveling, particularly in Western Europe during the Christmas markets, where she is always on the lookout for German Christmas pyramids; and

WHEREAS, Janice Vastine is an admired and beloved member of the close-knit legislative community who has served her fellow citizens and their elected public officials in the house with great skill, dedication, and diligence for nearly four decades, and it is a pleasure to honor her and pay tribute to her remarkable career; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Janice Vastine on her retirement from the Texas House of Representatives and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued happiness in all of her endeavors; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Ms. Vastine as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.