88R32553 BPG-D
 
  By: Craddick H.C.R. No. 122
 
 
 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
         WHEREAS, Don Ward is retiring as founding executive director
  of the One-Call Board of Texas following 26 years of distinguished
  service in that role; and
         WHEREAS, The One-Call Board of Texas, formally known as the
  Texas Underground Facility Notification Corporation, was created
  to implement and oversee the statewide "One-Call" excavation
  notification system, established in 1997 through passage of the
  Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety Act; also known
  as the 811 Call Before You Dig Act, this legislation protects Texans
  when excavations are done near utility lines by requiring utilities
  to mark their facilities and obliging excavators to call 811 before
  they begin their work; and
         WHEREAS, Don Ward has served as executive director since the
  inception of the One-Call Board; throughout his tenure, he has
  worked diligently and effectively with its governor-appointed
  members, utilities, and notification centers to ensure the safety
  of the public; and
         WHEREAS, A native of Bryan, Mr. Ward grew up in Houston and
  graduated from Lamar High School; he transferred from Texas A&M
  University to Sam Houston State University to pursue his rodeo
  career in bull riding, and he was eventually inducted into the Texas
  Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame; for his graduate studies, he returned to
  Texas A&M; and
         WHEREAS, In 1980, Mr. Ward was recruited by the Brazos County
  district judge to serve as an aide and driver for Senator Bill
  Moore's campaign; the following year, he joined the Legislative
  Budget Board as a budget examiner; he went on to work in public
  policy advocacy for a number of associations, among them the Texas
  Good Roads Association, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association,
  and the Texas Pest Control Association; and
         WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Ward benefits from the
  love and support of his wife, Leslie Ward; they are the proud
  parents of three children, and he plans to spend his retirement on
  their ranch enjoying the company of his 10 grandchildren; and
         WHEREAS, Through his longstanding commitment to the vital
  mission of the One-Call Board, Don Ward has contributed
  significantly to the safety and well-being of his fellow Texans,
  and as he embarks on the next exciting chapter of his life, he may
  indeed reflect with pride on his accomplishments; now, therefore,
  be it
         RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas
  hereby congratulate Don Ward on his retirement as executive
  director of the One-Call Board of Texas and extend to him sincere
  best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for Mr. Ward as an expression of high regard by the Texas
  House of Representatives and Senate.