H.R. No. 2717

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The citizens of Garland lost one of their most admired community leaders with the death of Stanford Fong on April 27, 2011, at the age of 83; and

WHEREAS, Stanford Fong was born to Chinese immigrant parents in Lake Village, Arkansas, on August 6, 1927; he proved himself early in life to be a natural leader, winning election in high school as president of the student body, the student council, and the senior class and serving as captain of the football team; Mr. Fong enrolled in Southern Methodist University in 1945 on a football scholarship, but his studies were interrupted in 1946, when he answered his nation's call to duty by enlisting in the U.S. Army; he served with the army until 1948 and took part in the postwar occupation of Japan; and

WHEREAS, Stan Fong subsequently returned to SMU and completed his degree in 1950; recalled to active duty following the outbreak of the Korean War, he served in Korea until 1951; later, Mr. Fong enjoyed a long and respected career with Collins Radio Company/Rockwell International, where he worked until his retirement in 1987; and

WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan also engaged in extensive public service; he held a seat on the Garland City Council from 1980 to 1984 and served as mayor pro tem in 1983; in 1990, he received a presidential appointment from the George H. W. Bush administration to act as confidential assistant to the regional administrator in the General Services Administration; moreover, he served on the Dallas County Appraisal Review Board from 1990 to 1996 and chaired the board during his final year with that group; and

WHEREAS, A man of deep faith, Mr. Fong served for many years as a Methodist minister; he also gave generously of his time and talents as chair of the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce, which named him to its honorary advisory board, and as a director of Community Credit Union, now ViewPoint Bank, for 22 years; he has the distinction of being featured in an exhibit regarding Asian settlers in Dallas County at the Old Red Museum of Dallas County History and Culture; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Fong and his wife, the former Ellen Farrar, were married on April 9, 1948, and they became the devoted parents of five children, Louise, Debbie, Judy, Don, and Ronald; over the years, they rejoiced as their family grew to include eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Stanford Fong led a life of exemplary service, and those who were blessed to share in the warmth of his love and affection will forever hold him close in their hearts; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Stanford Fong and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, Ellen Fong; to his daughters and sons-in-law, Louise Sharp and Dr. Frank Sharp, Debbie Hopson and Dr. Jerry Hopson, and Judy and Ralph West; to his son and daughter-in-law, Don and Paula Fong; to his daughter-in-law, Cynthia Fong; to his brothers, Benny Fong and Wally Fong; to his grandchildren, Christina Montgomery, Nicole Robinson, Annette Brack, Jamie Sharp, Logan Sharp, Morgan Hopson, Wilson Fong, and Claire Fong; to his five great-grandchildren; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Stanford Fong.

Button Madden

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 2717 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 30, 2011.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House