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.