H.R. No. 878

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The iconic Longview restaurant Bel's Diner celebrated its 25th anniversary on February 28, 2017; and

WHEREAS, The restaurant's founder, Harvel "Bel" Davis, learned home-style cooking at a young age and continued his culinary education during high school by working at a truck stop on Interstate 20; he opened Bel's Diner in 1992, offering a variety of southern and soul food favorites, including smothered chicken, fried catfish, liver and onions, and grilled pork steak; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Davis initially received help from his parents, the late Roger and Mary Lee Davis, and from his uncle and silent partner, the late John Thomas; after five years, his brother, Tommy Davis, joined him at the restaurant, and the siblings have continued to cook and serve scratch-made meals five days a week; over the years, the diner has developed a loyal base of customers who come back for both the food and the fellowship; and

WHEREAS, Locally owned and operated businesses play an important role in furthering the economic well-being of towns throughout Texas, and all those associated with Bel's Diner may take great pride in the contributions that the restaurant has made to the Longview community over the past quarter century; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 25th anniversary of Bel's Diner and extend to Harvel Davis, Tommy Davis, and the restaurant's employees sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Bel's Diner as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.

Dean

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 878 was adopted by the House on March 23, 2017, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House