H.R. No. 2596

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The untimely passing of Andrew Jared Swope of
	Amarillo on January 15, 2013, at the age of 27, brought a great loss
	to his community and to the many people whose lives were touched by
	this remarkable man; and
	WHEREAS, Born in Amarillo on January 29, 1985, A. J. Swope
	was the son of Rick and Leslie Swope; he graduated from Pampa High
	School and went on to complete his bachelor's degree in mass
	communication at West Texas A&M University, where he worked on
	multiple broadcast management teams and served as program director
	for KWTS, the campus radio station; in addition, he was a thoughtful
	mentor to his fellow students and played a key role in the growth of
	the school's broadcast program; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Swope began his career at KVII-TV as an on-air
	reporter and anchor, and he rose to become assignments editor;
	during his tenure, he distinguished himself through his talent,
	drive, and leadership; his work on news segments about wind energy
	led to a new passion, and he became the first executive director of
	Class 4 Winds and Renewables in 2009; in that capacity, he
	represented the Panhandle wind industry at the state, national, and
	international levels, and he provided educational opportunities
	and assistance in coordinating regional resources; reaching out to
	a wide variety of individuals and businesses with a stake in the
	development of the industry, he helped create common ground where
	those with diverse interests could gain knowledge and share ideas,
	and along the way, he cultivated numerous lasting friendships; and
	WHEREAS, Musically talented as well, he led the band AJ Swope
	and the Last Train Home, which built a strong following among
	roots-rock and alternative country fans at venues around the area;
	the group released an album, Hotel St.James, in 2012; Mr. Swope
	wrote songs from the heart, and among his favorites were "Company
	Man," written for his dad, and "Autumn Girl," written for his wife;
	and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Swope was devoted to his wife, Wendi, and to his
	large extended family; an adventurous outdoorsman, he enjoyed
	fly-fishing, hiking, riding trials bikes, surfing, sailing, and
	kayaking, and he spent countless hours biking in Palo Duro Canyon
	and riding around his neighborhood with his faithful companion,
	Simon the Dog, in a cart behind him; and
	WHEREAS, In May 2013, Sharyland Utilities announced that its
	new substation in Potter County will be named the AJ Swope Station
	as a memorial to this dynamic Texan; and
	WHEREAS, Through his warmth, kindness, and quick sense of
	humor, A. J. Swope endeared himself to innumerable people across
	the state, and his commitment to making a positive difference will
	remain a source of inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to
	know him; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
	Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Andrew Jared Swope
	and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his
	wife, Wendi Swope; to his parents, Rick and Leslie Swope; to his
	brother, Dirk Swope, and his wife, Val; to his niece, Peyton Swope;
	and to his many 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
	A. J. Swope.
	Smithee
	Straus M. Gonzalez of El Paso Oliveira
	Allen N. Gonzalez of El Paso Orr
	Alonzo Gooden Otto
	Alvarado Guerra Paddie
	Anchia Guillen Parker
	Anderson Gutierrez Patrick
	Ashby Harless Perez
	Aycock Harper-Brown Perry
	Bell Hernandez Luna Phillips
	Bohac Herrero Pickett
	Bonnen of Brazoria Hilderbran Pitts
	Bonnen of Galveston Howard Price
	Branch Huberty Raney
	Burkett Hughes Ratliff
	Burnam Hunter Raymond
	Button Isaac Reynolds
	Callegari Johnson Riddle
	Canales Kacal Ritter
	Capriglione Keffer Rodriguez of Bexar
	Carter King of Hemphill Rodriguez of Travis
	Clardy King of Parker Rose
	Coleman King of Taylor Sanford
	Collier King of Zavala Schaefer
	Cook Kleinschmidt Sheets
	Cortez Klick Sheffield of Bell
	Craddick Kolkhorst Sheffield of Coryell
	Creighton Krause Simmons
	Crownover Kuempel Simpson
	Dale Larson Smith
	Darby Laubenberg Smithee
	Davis of Dallas Lavender Springer
	J. Davis of Harris Leach Stephenson
	S. Davis of Harris Lewis Stickland
	Deshotel Longoria Strama
	Dukes Lozano Taylor
	Dutton Lucio III Thompson of Brazoria
	Eiland Marquez Thompson of Harris
	Elkins Martinez Toth
	Fallon Martinez Fischer Turner of Collin
	Farias McClendon Turner of Harris
	Farney Menendez Turner of Tarrant
	Farrar Miles Villalba
	Fletcher Miller of Comal Villarreal
	Flynn Miller of Fort Bend Vo
	Frank Moody Walle
	Frullo Morrison White
	Geren Munoz, Jr. Workman
	Giddings Murphy Wu
	Goldman Naishtat Zedler
	Gonzales Nevarez Zerwas
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 2596 was unanimously adopted by a rising
	vote of the House on May 22, 2013.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House