H.R. No. 1530

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times and meaningful accomplishments remain to comfort the family and friends of Valerian Dennis Aloysius Huvar of Victoria, who passed away on March 21, 2013, at the age of 93; and

WHEREAS, Born in El Campo on October 19, 1919, Val Huvar was the son of Fred and Stella Holcak Huvar, who moved the family to Victoria several months after his birth to open Huvar's Grocery, which became a local institution and served the community for nearly eight decades before finally closing in 1999; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from St. Joseph's High School in 1937, Mr. Huvar worked a series of jobs until entering the U.S. Army Air Corps on December 31, 1941; during his honorable service, Mr. Huvar was stationed in San Antonio, Lubbock, and the Philippines, and he attained the rank of master sergeant before being discharged in 1946; on his return home, he managed a number of local businesses and worked as a teller at First Victoria National Bank; and

WHEREAS, With the encouragement of his friends and family, Mr. Huvar successfully ran for the office of county clerk in Victoria County in 1954; he took office on January 1, 1955, and held the position until 2011, becoming the longest serving public official in both the city and the county's history; during his impressive 56-year tenure, he was active in the County and District Clerks' Association of Texas, which he led for one term as president, and the organization named him the Outstanding County Clerk of Texas in 1970; moreover, Governor John Connally recognized him for his expertise when he appointed Mr. Huvar to serve on the statewide election committee in 1964; and

WHEREAS, A man of devout faith as well, he was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, where he served as president of the parish board and as a lector, a congregation song leader, a choir member, and a Eucharistic minister; for his commitment to the Catholic Church, he received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal and diploma, the highest honor that can be awarded to a member of the laity; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his many endeavors, Mr. Huvar enjoyed the love and support of his wife, the former Luella "Lu" Edwards Knowlan, whom he married in 1947, and together the couple made wonderful memories until Mrs. Huvar passed away in 1984; their cherished family included their four children, Charlotte, Carolyn, Dennis, and Michael; and

WHEREAS, Val Huvar lived a life rich in the intangibles that matter most, and all who were privileged to know him will remember with deep admiration his unwavering commitment to his family, his community, his faith, and his country; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Valerian Huvar and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his children, Charlotte Kizer, Carolyn Wright, Dennis Huvar and his wife, Brenda, and Michael Huvar and his wife, Karen; to his sister, Marguerite Epperhart; to his brother, Edward Huvar; to his grandchildren and their spouses, Amber and Kyle Proctor, Michelle Babb and Technical Sergeant Scott Babb, Dr. John B. Wright and Jennifer Wright, Traci and Chris Dyson, Erin Wright-White, Jeffrey and Sara Huvar, Allison and Jim Heard, Melissa Huvar, Matthew and Christi Huvar, and Adam Huvar; to his great-grandchildren, Jon Micheal Sparkman, Megan Babb, Michael Babb, Cullen Dyson, Lily White, Shelby White, Kason Dyson, Bethany Wright, Elizabeth Proctor, Kinsley White, Zoe Huvar, and William Huvar; 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 Valerian Huvar.

Morrison

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 1530 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 24, 2013.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House