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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, In 2013, esteemed entrepreneur Thomas Sharpe |
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Wilmeth of Daingerfield is celebrating two impressive achievements |
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in his life: his recei |
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pt of an honorary doctorate from Purdue |
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University and his 100th birthday; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Chicago on October 2, 1913, Tom Wilmeth grew |
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up in Indianapolis and studied engineering at Purdue University; he |
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graduated in 1935 and first gained employment with IBM and then |
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Allis-Chalmers, a manufacturing company; he worked in the latter |
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company's Milwaukee plant during World War II, making steam turbine |
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rotors and other materials needed for the war; known for his dogged |
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and efficient style and ability to solve tough problems, he was |
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eventually promoted into a management position; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Wilmeth collaborated with his brother, Harvey, |
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and others to start Scot Industries in 1949, even as he continued |
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his career with Allis-Chalmers and later with A. O. Smith; Scot |
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Industries took off in the late 1950s, and Mr. Wilmeth turned his |
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attention to the company full-time; specializing in honed tubing |
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for hydraulic cylinders, the business soon outgrew its first plant |
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in Milwaukee, and today this industry leader has locations in 10 |
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cities across North America, including Lone Star, Texas; while |
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Mr. Wilmeth remains actively involved in the company, his son, |
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Steven, now serves as its president; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to his son, Mr. Wilmeth's family |
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includes his wife, Benette, with whom he has shared nearly 15 years, |
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a daughter, Suzanne, four grandchildren, Catherine, Jennifer, |
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Melissa, and Whittaker, and six great-grandchildren; several of his |
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loved ones were in attendance when he received his honorary degree |
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on May 11; he has contributed greatly to his alma mater, from his |
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participation as a member of the President's Council to his |
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contribution of the Library Scholars Grant; and |
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WHEREAS, The wisdom and experience of centenarians are a |
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source of enduring inspiration, and it is indeed a pleasure to honor |
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Thomas Wilmeth for having joined an elite group of Americans who can |
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claim 100 years of meaningful accomplishments and wonderful |
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memories; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Thomas Sharpe Wilmeth on his 100th |
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birthday and on his receipt of an honorary doctorate from Purdue |
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University and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued |
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happiness; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Wilmeth as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |
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Simpson |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 2543 was adopted by the House on May |
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24, 2013, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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