H.R. No. 1197

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Schwebel and Patricia Schwebel of West Columbia have been named recipients of the 2012 Cradle of Texas Herman Swift Award; and

WHEREAS, Established in 1993, the Herman Swift Award acknowledges residents of the Cradle of Texas District, Bay Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, who have not only served scouting but who have also distinguished themselves through their contributions to the wider community; and

WHEREAS, "Doc" and "Tissie" Schwebel became involved in scouting in 1969; as the parents of three sons, Rodney, Darrell, and Marty, they helped found Cub Scout Pack 310 at Bess Brannen Elementary School in Lake Jackson; Dr. Schwebel served as pack committee chair and Mrs. Schwebel as den mother; subsequently, they assisted Boy Scout Troop 311, and Dr. Schwebel established an Explorer Post, sponsored by his veterinary clinic, and served as post advisor for 25 years; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, Dr. and Mrs. Schwebel have both served on the Bay Area Council executive board, along with holding a number of other positions at the district and council levels; Mrs. Schwebel has served as district commissioner and as commissioner of the Cub Scout Roundtable, while Dr. Schwebel has served as council vice president of scouting, as district chair, and as a longtime merit badge counselor at Camp Karankawa; recognized with myriad accolades, Mrs. Schwebel has received the Distinguished Commissioner Award, the District Award of Merit, and the Silver Fawn Award, and Dr. Schwebel has received the District Award of Merit, the Silver Beaver Award, the Bay Area Council Outstanding Scouter Award, and the William H. Spurgeon III Exploring Award; and

WHEREAS, In addition to supporting the Boy Scouts, the Schwebels have long given of their time and talents to a host of other community organizations; Mrs. Schwebel has been involved in such groups as the Asa Underwood Daughters of the American Revolution, the Cradle of Texas Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and the Lamar Fontaine United Daughters of the Confederacy, and she has served on the boards of the Columbia Historical Museum and the Columbia Historical Cemetery; she has also volunteered with the Brazoria County March of Dimes, the Lake Jackson Museum, and Brazosport Hospital, and she has been a member of the West Columbia and Brazoria Chambers of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, A former member of the Lake Jackson City Council and the planning commission, Dr. Schwebel has additionally served as president of the Lake Jackson Jaycees, the Brazoria Lions Club, the Brazoria Heritage Foundation, and the Brazosport Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; he was named 2005 Brazoria Man of the Year, 2006 Brazosport Man of the Year, and 2009 Philanthropist of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Before his retirement in 2000, Dr. Schwebel owned the Lake Jackson Veterinary Clinic for 44 years; Mrs. Schwebel worked for the clinic and for the Dow Chemical Company; in their leisure, they enjoy spending time with their family, which has grown to include six grandchildren, John, Lizzie, Toby, Nathan, Ethan, and Theo; and

WHEREAS, Doc and Tissie Schwebel have greatly benefited innumerable young Texans through their dedication to scouting, and they have set an example of civic engagement that is an inspiration to all who know them; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. Robert Schwebel and Patricia Schwebel on their receipt of the 2012 Cradle of Texas Herman Swift Award and extend to them sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Dr. and Mrs. Schwebel as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.

Bonnen of Brazoria

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 1197 was adopted by the House on April 17, 2013, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House