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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Legendary Houston newscaster Dave Ward retired from |
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ABC affiliate KTRK-TV on May 2, 2017, drawing to a close a |
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distinguished tenure with the station that spanned more than half a |
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century; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of Dallas, Dave Ward grew up in Huntsville |
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and began his career in broadcast journalism at KGKB radio in Tyler, |
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while attending college; he subsequently worked at WACO radio in |
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Waco and at KNUZ/KQUE radio in Houston before joining the staff at |
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KTRK-TV as a street reporter and photographer in 1966; quickly |
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establishing himself as a mainstay at the station, he landed roles |
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as anchor of the weekday morning newscast and as the first host of |
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the program Dialing for Dollars, which later evolved into Good |
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Morning Houston; from 1968 until his retirement, he anchored the |
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weekday evening news at 6 and 10, earning recognition from the |
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Guinness Book of World Records in June 2016 as the longest-serving |
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local television news anchor at the same station in the same market; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, During his remarkable career at Channel 13 |
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Eyewitness News, Mr. Ward reported on events ranging from the |
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Vietnam peace talks and NASA space missions to extreme weather and |
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natural disasters; he covered decades of political conventions and |
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elections, reported from Central and South America, and interviewed |
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a number of heads of state, including President Barack Obama; known |
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for his warm and engaging persona, he became a familiar and beloved |
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face to Houston residents, who tuned in each night to hear his |
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famous tagline, "Good evening, friends," and he garnered a sterling |
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reputation among his colleagues for accuracy and attention to |
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detail; and |
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WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan has also played a prominent role |
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in Houston civic life; he was instrumental in establishing the |
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Houston Crime Stoppers program, which has been a model for similar |
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efforts worldwide, and he has served as president of Easter Seals |
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Greater Houston, as chair of the Public Affairs Advisory Board of |
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the Greater Houston Business Council, and as a member of the boards |
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for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Houston Press Club, and the |
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Houston Police Foundation; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the years, Mr. Ward's contributions both to |
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journalism and to his community have earned him numerous accolades, |
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including a regional Emmy for his work on the special Steve Tyrell: |
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A Houston Standard, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lone Star |
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Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, |
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and induction into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame and Texas |
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Intercollegiate Press Association Hall of Fame; he has also |
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received the City of Houston Public Service Award and the Leon |
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Goldstein Award for Outstanding Service in Fighting Crime, and he |
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has been honored by the Mexican American Bar Association of Texas; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Dave Ward's talent, professionalism, and dedication |
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to his fellow citizens have greatly benefited KTRK-TV and the |
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Houston community for more than 50 years, and he may indeed reflect |
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with pride on a career well spent as he embarks on the next exciting |
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chapter of his life; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Dave Ward on the occasion of his |
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retirement from KTRK-TV in Houston and extend to him sincere best |
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wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Ward as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |
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Wu |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 2017 was adopted by the House on May |
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25, 2017, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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