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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The city of Tomball lost an admired civic leader |
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with the passing of former mayor Harold Gene Harrington on May 17, |
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2016, at the age of 81; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Newman and Gladys Harrington, "Hap" |
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Harrington was born in Weldon on September 29, 1934, and grew up |
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with the companionship of his sister, Carol; he graduated with the |
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Class of 1953 at Stephen F. Austin High School in Houston, and he |
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went on to earn a master's degree in education from Sam Houston |
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State University; in college, he distinguished himself as a member |
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of the football team, helping lead the Bearkats to state and |
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national championships and to their only undefeated season in |
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school history; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Harrington began his career in education as a |
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teacher and coach before transitioning to school administration; he |
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served as assistant vice principal and principal at McAllen High |
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School and then as principal of Klein High School; he was later |
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installed as superintendent of the Tomball Independent School |
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District in 1980; and |
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WHEREAS, Dedicated to public service, Mr. Harrington entered |
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politics in 1992 with his election as mayor of Tomball, and he ably |
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served in that office for five terms; he also represented his |
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community as a member of the board of the Southeast Texas Housing |
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Authority; in recognition of his outstanding efforts, he was |
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selected as the 1990 Tomball Citizen of the Year; and |
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WHEREAS, A man of strong faith, Mr. Harrington was a longtime |
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congregant of Salem Lutheran Church; in his leisure hours, he |
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enjoyed watching sports, gardening, painting, and woodworking; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Harrington shared a fulfilling marriage with |
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his wife of more than four decades, Shirley; over the years, he |
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became the proud father of three children, Nina, Kenneth, and |
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Douglas, and he was further blessed with two stepdaughters, Sherron |
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and Julie, as well as eight grandchildren and five |
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great-grandchildren; and |
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WHEREAS, Through his vision, leadership, and selfless |
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commitment to the well-being of others, Hap Harrington made a |
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lasting, positive difference in Tomball, and although he is deeply |
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missed, his love for his community will continue to inspire his |
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fellow citizens for years to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Harold Gene |
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Harrington and extend heartfelt sympathy to his relatives and |
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friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Harold Gene |
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Harrington. |
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Oliverson |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 2216 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the House on May 25, 2017. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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