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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Ernie Madsen of Mission, who at age 99 is thought to |
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be the oldest active Rotarian in Texas, was honored in a special |
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ceremony on May 12, 2011; and |
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WHEREAS, A member of Rotary International for nearly eight |
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decades, Mr. Madsen first joined the group in 1932; he has been |
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named a Paul Harris Fellow for his support of the organization and |
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its initiatives; and |
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WHEREAS, Born on November 22, 1911, Ernie Madsen moved to |
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Mission with his family in 1919 after previously living in |
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Minnesota; his father had come to the United States from Denmark in |
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1904, and the Madsens arrived in Texas with two other immigrant |
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families; an accomplished football and track athlete in high |
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school, Mr. Madsen later enrolled at The University of Texas at |
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Austin and played football on the freshman team under Coach Shorty |
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Anderson; he was also trained as a gymnast; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Madsen's remarkable life has included |
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challenges as well as achievements; while on a construction job in |
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Laredo in the early 1940s, he fell more than 30 feet onto concrete, |
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breaking both wrists and both legs but escaping more serious injury |
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thanks to his gymnastics skills; he also worked at the Hanford Site |
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in Washington State, which played an important role in the |
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construction of the country's early atomic weapons, and he was |
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employed in the dairy business until 1962; he then took a job with a |
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pipe supply company, remaining there for 28 years; and |
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WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Mr. Madsen has enjoyed the |
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love and support of his wife, Kathleen, with whom he shared many |
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years of rewarding partnership until her passing in 2001, and his |
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son, John; and |
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WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan is a source of wisdom and |
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inspiration to all who are privileged to know him, and it is a |
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pleasure to recognize him for his longtime contributions to Rotary |
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International and for almost a century of life well lived; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby honor Ernie Madsen for his |
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many years of service to Rotary International and extend to him |
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sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Madsen as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |
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Gonzales of Hidalgo |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 55 was adopted by the House on June |
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28, 2011, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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