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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Texas A&M community is mourning the loss of |
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admired educator Dr. Joe David Townsend of South Padre Island, who |
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passed away on July 1, 2021, at the age of 75; and |
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WHEREAS, Born to Charles Eli Townsend and Pauline Townsend on |
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July 24, 1945, Joe Townsend grew up with a brother, Donald, and |
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graduated from McAllen High School; while earning his bachelor's |
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degree in agricultural education at Texas A&M University, he served |
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as president of the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences student |
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council, and he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, the |
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Agricultural Leadership Society, FFA, and the 4-H Club; he began |
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his career as a high school teacher while completing a master's |
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degree and doctoral degree in agricultural education at Iowa State |
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University, and he taught at both Iowa State and Illinois State; and |
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WHEREAS, "Dr. Joe" returned to Texas A&M in 1984 and became |
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associate dean for students in the College of Agriculture and Life |
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Sciences and associate vice president for students; over the course |
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of a quarter century, he taught at least 1,000 students per |
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semester; he received numerous accolades, including the University |
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Distinguished Teaching Award, the John J. Koldus III Award from the |
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Division of Student Affairs, and the Outstanding Alumni Award from |
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the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; in addition, he was |
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recognized by Minorities in Agriculture and the Natural Resources |
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and Related Sciences Council, and he was honored four times by the |
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Association of Former Students; and |
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WHEREAS, Devoted to his family, Dr. Townsend shared a |
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fulfilling marriage of 41 years with his wife, Christine Davis |
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Townsend; he took great pride in his children, Kelly and Michael, |
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and his four grandchildren; in 2009, Dr. Christine Townsend |
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established the Dr. Joe D. Townsend Agricultural Leadership, |
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Education, and Communications Leadership Fellows Program at Texas |
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A&M in honor of her husband; the couple was inducted into the Texas |
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Letterman's Association Hall of Honor together; and |
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WHEREAS, Joe David Townsend enriched the lives of countless |
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students over the course of his long career in higher education, and |
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his contributions to Texas A&M University will continue to resonate |
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in the years to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of |
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Dr. Joe David Townsend 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 Joe David |
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Townsend. |