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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1013
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In Memory |
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of |
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Richard F. Williamson |
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WHEREAS, The citizens of Texas lost a passionate leader and |
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dynamic trailblazer with the death of Richard F. "Ric" Williamson |
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on December 30, 2007, at the age of 55; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Williamson was a brilliant and visionary |
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leader whose extraordinary efforts on behalf of this state were |
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as grand as Texas itself; a man who cared deeply about the |
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well-being of his community and his state, he epitomized the |
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"Spirit of Texas" with his bold ideas for the betterment of this |
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state and his wholehearted efforts to put them into practice; and |
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WHEREAS, Born on January 25, 1952, in Abilene, Mr. |
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Williamson attended The University of Texas in Austin, where he |
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married a fellow Longhorn, Mary Ann Welsch, in 1973 and earned |
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his bachelor's degree in 1974; the couple settled in Weatherford |
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and raised three beautiful daughters, Melissa, Katherine, and |
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Sara, and they had two grandchildren; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Williamson was an avid hunter and a devoted |
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fan of women's fast-pitch softball; he was a cofounder of RAW |
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Energy, and he and his wife established MKS Consulting |
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Corporation; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Williamson began his service to the State of |
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Texas in 1985 when he was elected to the Texas House of |
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Representatives, where he served for 14 years; and |
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WHEREAS, While serving as Vice Chairman of the |
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Appropriations Committee, Mr. Williamson, a proponent of |
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performance budgeting, became fondly known as one of the "Pit |
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Bulls," conservative lawmakers who seriously questioned state |
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spending practices; and |
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WHEREAS, Professional and legislative accomplishments |
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earned Mr. Williamson many awards through the years; he was |
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particularly proud of his recognition by Texas Monthly magazine |
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in both 1989 and 1991 as one of Texas' "Ten Best Legislators"; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2001, Mr. Williamson was appointed to serve on |
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the Texas Transportation Commission, and in January of 2004, he |
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became chairman of the commission, a position he held until his |
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death; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Williamson was a longtime close friend and |
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trusted advisor to Governor Rick Perry, and he contributed |
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immeasurably to the growth and progress of the state through his |
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dedication to public service, his ambitious and farsighted |
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planning, and his steadfast leadership; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st |
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Legislature, hereby honor the memory of Ric Williamson, a great |
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Texan and a cherished friend to many, whose legacy will continue |
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to shape the state's infrastructure and inspire the lives of |
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others for years to come; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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his family, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so |
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in memory of Richard F. "Ric" Williamson. |
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Ogden |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on May 29, 2009, by a |
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rising vote. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |