83R5644 LUC-D

By: Flynn H.R. No. 290

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Randal Clayton of Brownsboro marked 40 years of banking service to the citizens of Van Zandt County in 2012; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Clayton earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration from East Texas State University in Commerce; he began working for First State Bank of Ben Wheeler as a teller in 1972 and progressed to loan officer and then vice president; he and his wife, Pam, purchased the bank outright in 1986, and since then, new branches have opened in Edom, Canton, and Edgewood, and the bank's assets have increased from $9.5 to $122 million; and

WHEREAS, First State Bank of Ben Wheeler has been locally owned and operated since 1911, and Mr. Clayton has ensured that the bank remains a family business by naming his son, Chet, president of the organization in 2010; his daughter Gina Thelen serves as vice president of the Canton branch, and another daughter, Julie Stern, is a member of the bank's board of directors; and

WHEREAS, Still active in the bank, Mr. Clayton continues to draw on four decades of professional experience in serving his customers; when not at work, he enjoys spending time with his eight grandchildren, traveling by motor home, and tending his cattle; and

WHEREAS, Locally owned and operated businesses play an important role in the economic well-being of towns throughout Texas, and Randal Clayton may take great pride in the contributions that First State Bank of Ben Wheeler has made to the communities it serves; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby recognize Randal Clayton of First State Bank of Ben Wheeler for his 40 years of service to the citizens of Van Zandt County and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Clayton as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.