H.C.R. No. 19
 
 
 
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
         WHEREAS, Don Sparks, chair of the board for Discovery
  Operating, has been named the 2022 Top Hand by the Permian Basin
  Petroleum Association; and
         WHEREAS, An Amarillo native, Mr. Sparks earned a petroleum
  engineering degree from The University of Texas at Austin in 1962,
  and after serving in the U.S. Navy for four years, he embarked on
  his distinguished career in the petroleum industry; initially, he
  held a number of engineering and consulting roles with such
  companies as Bailey, Sipes, Williamson and Runyan, Freeport Oil
  Company, and Shell Oil Company; and
         WHEREAS, After settling in Midland, he and his wife,
  Gwyndolyn, decided to use their savings to launch Discovery
  Operating in 1973; so began the independent company's many decades
  of success, and in 2023, Discovery will celebrate its 50th
  anniversary; in addition, Mr. Sparks joined with C. Ronald Platt to
  cofound the engineering consulting firm Platt, Sparks & Associates
  in 1980; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Sparks has been active in myriad professional
  organizations, including the Society of Petroleum Engineers
  Permian Basin Chapter, the Independent Petroleum Association of
  America, and the National Society of Petroleum Engineers; moreover,
  his family and company have supported such worthwhile causes as
  High Sky Children's Ranch and The Village at Manor Park; in
  recognition of his many accomplishments, he was named a UT
  Distinguished Alumnus and was inducted into the Petroleum Hall of
  Fame, and he has received an Independent Petroleum Association of
  America Leadership Award and a Hearst Energy Award for Lifetime
  Achievement; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Sparks and Mrs. Sparks are the parents of three
  sons, Jeff, Kevin, and Todd, and they also take great pride in their
  grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and
         WHEREAS, Through his leadership, vision, and expertise, Don
  Sparks has earned the lasting respect of his peers in the petroleum
  industry, and he is truly deserving of this prestigious honor; now,
  therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas
  hereby congratulate Don Sparks on his receipt of the 2022 Top Hand
  award from the Permian Basin Petroleum Association and extend to
  him sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for Mr. Sparks as an expression of high regard by the Texas
  House of Representatives and Senate.
 
  Craddick
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.C.R. No. 19 was adopted by the House on March
  8, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 140, Nays 0, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.C.R. No. 19 was adopted by the Senate on
  March 13, 2023, by a viva-voce vote.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor