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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The city of Belton lost an esteemed community leader |
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with the passing of former mayor Ira James Covington on December 20, |
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2018, at the age of 74; and |
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WHEREAS, Jim Covington was born to Ira and Hazel Covington on |
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December 12, 1944, in Wynnewood, Oklahoma; he embarked on a |
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successful career in banking and later went into property |
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management with Covington Rentals; and |
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WHEREAS, This dedicated public servant gave back to his |
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fellow residents as a member of the Belton City Council, and he went |
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on to hold the office of mayor from 2006 to 2014; during his tenure, |
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he helped create a strategic plan to address the area's rapid |
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growth, and under his leadership, the city launched the Nolan Creek |
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improvement project and began work on the Martin Luther King Jr. |
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Avenue bridge, which opened in 2016; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Covington further contributed to his community |
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through his involvement with the parks board, the Belton Area |
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Chamber of Commerce, and the C.A.R.E. Leadership Network, which he |
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helped found; moreover, he was a valued congregant of First Baptist |
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Belton, where he was a trustee, deacon, and Sunday school teacher; |
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in recognition of his many accomplishments, he was named an |
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honorary alumnus of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Covington enjoyed a rewarding marriage with his |
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wife, Terri, and he took great pride in his two sons, Barrett and |
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Dave, and three grandchildren; and |
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WHEREAS, Although Jim Covington's death has brought great |
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sorrow to those who loved him, his life was an inspiring example of |
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the good that one person can accomplish; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of former Belton mayor |
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Ira James "Jim" Covington and extend sincere condolences to all who |
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mourn his passing; 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 Jim |
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Covington. |