H.C.R. No. 25 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The members of the Texas Legislature are proud to 1-2 commend the Honorable Bill Sarpalius for his many years of 1-3 outstanding service to the people of our state; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A longtime resident of Northwest Texas, this 1-5 esteemed individual earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture 1-6 education from Texas Tech University before going on to receive a 1-7 master's degree in agriculture from West Texas State University; 1-8 and 1-9 WHEREAS, He began his exemplary career in public service in 1-10 1980 when he was elected to represent the citizens of District 31 1-11 in the Texas Senate; widely respected for his hard work and 1-12 admirable constituent service, he won reelection to two subsequent 1-13 terms before retiring from that body in 1989; and 1-14 WHEREAS, During his tenure in the senate, he provided crucial 1-15 leadership as chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Agriculture 1-16 and also contributed his expertise as a highly regarded member of 1-17 the standing committees on Natural Resources, Education, State 1-18 Affairs, Economic Development, and Human Resources, to name but a 1-19 few; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Deeply committed to public service, he was elected 1-21 to a seat in the United States Congress in 1988 and earned 1-22 reelection to two additional terms, thus allowing him to serve the 1-23 citizens of District 13 with integrity and distinction for the past 1-24 six years; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Widely respected for his keen understanding of 2-2 agricultural concerns, Congressman Sarpalius provided wise and 2-3 thoughtful guidance as chairman of the house subcommittees on 2-4 general farm commodities and development of rural enterprises, 2-5 exports, and environment; he also has contributed valued insight as 2-6 a respected member of the House Committee on Agriculture and 2-7 several of its subcommittees, as well as the House Committee on 2-8 Small Business; and 2-9 WHEREAS, His congressional career has been marked by many 2-10 significant accomplishments, especially in the field of 2-11 agricultural and natural resource issues; he actively worked for 2-12 the passage of disaster relief legislation, spearheaded efforts to 2-13 create the Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, and was 2-14 instrumental in securing an interagency agreement that opened 2-15 almost 7,000 acres of federal land on the Canadian River to outdoor 2-16 recreational use; and 2-17 WHEREAS, Congressman Sarpalius also successfully garnered 2-18 funding for the Red River Basin Chloride Control Project, the Lake 2-19 Meredith Desalinization Project, and the Lake 2-20 Wichita/Holliday/McGrath Creek Flood Control Project; in addition, 2-21 he secured record funding for Sheppard Air Force Base and 2-22 successfully petitioned for the creation of a National Research 2-23 Laboratory, which will use facilities at the Pantex Plant near 2-24 Amarillo to study peaceful uses for plutonium; and 2-25 WHEREAS, An articulate spokesman for other concerns as well, 2-26 he led the drive to restore proposed cuts in Medicaid funding and 2-27 sponsored legislation to repeal provisions that have hampered small 3-1 businesses; his efforts to assist small business enterprises have 3-2 enabled such ventures to compete in today's rapidly expanding 3-3 export market; and 3-4 WHEREAS, In recognition of his outstanding service to the 3-5 state and to the nation, Congressman Sarpalius has been honored 3-6 with numerous prestigious accolades, including the National 3-7 Security Leadership Award, the Future Farmers of America Achievers 3-8 Award, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Enterprise Award, the 3-9 Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Award of Appreciation, 3-10 and the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Special Legislative Award; he 3-11 has also been honored by the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities 3-12 as an Outstanding Public Servant; and 3-13 WHEREAS, In addition to his noteworthy career as a statesman, 3-14 Congressman Sarpalius is well regarded for his successful career in 3-15 the agribusiness industry; and 3-16 WHEREAS, A man of great vision, Congressman Sarpalius has 3-17 demonstrated exemplary perseverance and dedication in promoting 3-18 legislation to benefit all Texans throughout his distinguished 3-19 public career; at this time, it is indeed fitting that the members 3-20 of the Texas Legislature recognize him for his exceptional and 3-21 lasting contributions to the people of this state; now, therefore, 3-22 be it 3-23 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas, 3-24 Regular Session, 1995, hereby commend the Honorable Bill Sarpalius 3-25 for his outstanding career in the Texas Senate and the United 3-26 States Congress and extend best wishes to him for his continued 3-27 success and happiness; and, be it further 4-1 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 4-2 prepared for him as an expression of high regard by the Texas House 4-3 of Representatives and Senate.