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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Robert C. Vackar and Janet Ogden Vackar have set an |
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inspiring example for the Rio Grande Valley business community |
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through their extensive philanthropic efforts; and |
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WHEREAS, The owners of the Bert Ogden Auto Group, the Vackars |
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have given generously of their financial resources to numerous |
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worthy causes, and they are especially staunch champions of higher |
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education; in 2016, the couple presented The University of Texas |
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Rio Grande Valley with the largest scholarship gift in the history |
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of the institution, providing $2 million to create scholarship |
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endowments for aspiring entrepreneurs and students pursuing |
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degrees in mass communications; they have also helped fund the |
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Susan Lewis Vackar Clark Endowed Memorial Scholarship, established |
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in tribute to Mr. Vackar's late sister, an elementary school |
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teacher; and |
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WHEREAS, The Vackars are longtime benefactors of Easterseals |
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Rio Grande Valley, and they have supported veterans groups, food |
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banks, and such organizations as Boys & Girls Clubs, the |
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Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Palm Valley Animal Society; in |
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2012, they chaired the inaugural holiday fundraiser for the |
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Renaissance Cancer Foundation, and Ms. Vackar has been a member of |
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the board of the Vannie Cook Cancer Foundation and a sustaining |
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member of the Junior League of McAllen; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2016, the Vackars became the first couple |
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selected as recipients of the prestigious Border Texans of the Year |
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award; UTRGV named its Robert C. Vackar College of Business and |
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Entrepreneurship in honor of Mr. Vackar, and the Edinburg |
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Consolidated Independent School District named its Janet Ogden |
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Vackar Sports Complex in recognition of Ms. Vackar's many good |
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works in behalf of area children; moreover, the couple were |
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instrumental in the effort to name the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg |
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in memory of Ms. Vackar's father, who founded the family's chain of |
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auto dealerships; in all their endeavors, the Vackars benefit from |
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the love and support of their daughter and son-in-law, Kristin and |
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Will McCullough, and grandchildren, Walt, Sawyer, Emmylou, and |
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Dorothy Sabine; and |
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WHEREAS, Robert and Janet Vackar have demonstrated a lasting |
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commitment to making the Rio Grande Valley a better place for all, |
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and in so doing, they have earned the deep respect and appreciation |
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of their fellow residents; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commend Robert C. Vackar and Janet Ogden Vackar |
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for their contributions to the Rio Grande Valley and extend to them |
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sincere best 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 the Vackars as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |