SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 843

In Memory

of

William Summers

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens of the Rio Grande Valley in mourning the loss of William "Bill" Summers, who died November 30, 2009, at the age of 71; and

WHEREAS, William Summers was a man of vision and foresight whose love of the Rio Grande Valley served as the impetus for his strong and effective advocacy on behalf of the region and his many contributions toward improving the quality of life in the communities of South Texas; and

WHEREAS, A graduate of Donna High School, Mr. Summers attended Pan American University in Edinburg and served two tours in the United States Army; he married his high school sweetheart, Jo, in 1958, and the couple raised two sons, who blessed them with four grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Following a successful career in banking and public relations, Mr. Summers became president and chief executive officer of what became the Rio Grande Valley Partnership, an organization dedicated to promoting business opportunities for the citizens and businesses of the region; and

WHEREAS, Under his outstanding leadership, the partnership created an atmosphere in which the disparate communities of the Rio Grande Valley could transcend their rivalries and their individual political power structures to forge a cooperative effort that benefited the entire area; it also established the only office of any Texas chamber of commerce or economic development organization in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Summers played a vital role in coordinating the Rio Grande Valley Mobility Task Force, which has been responsible for bringing more than $500 million of transportation funding to the area; he also led the way in facilitating one of three rural empowerment zone applications, resulting in a $40 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Summers was the founder of Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse, which has become one of the foremost organizations nationwide in the movement to discourage frivolous litigation; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of his many efforts on behalf of the Rio Grande Valley, legislation was introduced and passed during the 81st Session of the Texas Legislature that renamed a section of Texas Farm-to-Market Road 1015 as the Bill Summers International Boulevard; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Summers received numerous other accolades and awards throughout his career, including the 2003 Civil Justice Appreciation Award from the Texas Civil Justice League, the 1994 Roadhand Award and the 2001 Russell H. Perry Award from the Texas Department of Transportation, the 2001 Legal Watchdog Award from the American Tort Reform Association, and the 1974 Man of the Year Award and 1980 Outstanding Citizen Award from the City of Weslaco; and

WHEREAS, A man of courage, strength, and compassion, Mr. Summers gave unselfishly to others, and his vision, his wisdom, and his valued counsel will not be forgotten by those who knew him; and

WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he will long be remembered for his warmth, his generous spirit, and his many achievements; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of William Summers: his wife, Jo; his sons and daughter-in-law, Mike and Randy and his wife, Alma; and his grandsons, Scott, Kevin, Jacob, and William; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Bill Summers.

Lucio

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 26, 2011, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

________________________________

Member, Texas Senate