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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Aviation Division of the Texas Department of |
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Transportation presented its inaugural Aviator of the Year Award to |
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Wayne Collins of Mineola at its 2008 Aviation Conference; and |
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WHEREAS, A Mineola native, Mr. Collins was instrumental in |
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establishing a new Wood County Airport in 1983, and he has been a |
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dynamic leader in efforts to develop and improve the facility |
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through the years; he has worked diligently to secure the |
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construction of a new parallel taxiway and a new terminal building, |
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the installation of an automated weather system, and the extension |
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of the runway to 4,000 feet; moreover, he initiated the popular |
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annual airport recognition day in acknowledgment of the airport's |
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importance to the whole community; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Collins was born on August 10, 1924, and after |
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graduating from Mineola High School, he attended Rice Institute; he |
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served his country during World War II as a naval officer in the |
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Pacific theater and continued to serve in the Naval Reserve, |
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retiring as a captain; an astute businessman, he found success in |
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the retail industry, and although he later became active in |
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banking, he has remained a valued member of the Texas Retailers |
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Association, which has named him a Life Director; and |
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WHEREAS, Deeply committed to his community, Mr. Collins has |
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participated in many endeavors to foster the prosperity of Mineola |
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and Wood County; he helped to establish the Mineola Industrial |
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Foundation and played a key role in moving the Wood County |
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Industrial Commission office to the airport, thereby enhancing the |
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commission's ability to promote the area to prospective businesses; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to achieving distinction in the |
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professional and civic arenas, Mr. Collins has earned membership in |
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Earthrounders by circumventing the globe in a light aircraft, a |
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feat he achieved not once but twice; he is also a skilled musician |
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who plays trombone in the Lake Country Orchestra; and |
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WHEREAS, Wayne Collins has demonstrated outstanding |
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leadership in aviation in Wood County, and his commitment to |
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furthering the progress of his community has contributed |
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immeasurably to its economic development; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Wayne Collins on his receipt of the |
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inaugural Aviator of the Year Award from the Aviation Division of |
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the Texas Department of Transportation and extend to him sincere |
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appreciation for his exceptional community service; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Collins as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |