H.R. No. 432
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, March 20, 1993, marks the 50th birthday of the
1-2 distinguished speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, the
1-3 Honorable James E. "Pete" Laney; and
1-4 WHEREAS, The son of W. G. and Frances Laney, he was born in
1-5 "Plain view" on March 20, 1943, a little-known fact that may help
1-6 to account for his sincere efforts to create a more open government
1-7 as the leader of this august chamber; and
1-8 WHEREAS, In his youth, Speaker Laney was graduated from Hale
1-9 Center High School, where he was no doubt voted "most likely to
1-10 become a political trailblazer," and he went on to pursue a
1-11 bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from Texas Tech
1-12 University, graduating in 1966; and
1-13 WHEREAS, While in college, Speaker Laney also pursued the
1-14 lovely Nelda McQuien, and the devoted couple were united in
1-15 marriage in 1963; since that time, they have shared the joys of
1-16 parenthood as the proud progenitors of a trio of gifted children,
1-17 KaLyn Laney, Jamey Laney Phillips, and J Pete Laney, all of whom
1-18 are quick to sing their parents' praises; and
1-19 WHEREAS, Out standing in his field, Speaker Laney is a farmer
1-20 by profession who first entered the field of politics in 1972 when
1-21 he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives; quickly
1-22 earning a well-deserved reputation as a man of fairness, integrity,
1-23 and intelligence, Speaker Laney was soon named chairman of the
1-24 House Administration Committee, in which post he served with
2-1 distinction from 1975 to 1982; and
2-2 WHEREAS, Appointed speaker pro tempore of the house in 1982,
2-3 he was named chairman of the House State Affairs Committee the
2-4 following year, in which capacity he continued to make a name for
2-5 himself for the next nine years; and
2-6 WHEREAS, Over the course of his exemplary tenure, Speaker
2-7 Laney also has shared his considerable leadership abilities as
2-8 chairman of the Interim Committee on Nursing Home Reform and as an
2-9 active member of the State Aircraft Pooling Board, the Task Force
2-10 on Public Utility Regulation, and the House Select Committee on
2-11 Rules; and
2-12 WHEREAS, On January 12, 1993, this fine gentleman nosed out
2-13 the competition and was elected the 71st speaker of the Texas House
2-14 of Representatives; since assuming the duties of his office,
2-15 Speaker Laney has worked diligently to bring about popular reform,
2-16 seeking to ensure that the citizens of Texas and their chosen
2-17 representatives will feel that their voices are being heard at the
2-18 State Capitol in Austin; and
2-19 WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous awards and accolades, he
2-20 has been honored as an outstanding legislator by Texas Business
2-21 Magazine on two occasions and he also has earned praise for his
2-22 alma mater as a distinguished alumnus of Texas Tech University; the
2-23 school is basking in glory this year, having achieved a clean sweep
2-24 of the men's and women's basketball championships as well as the
2-25 Texas speakership; and
2-26 WHEREAS, A man of such good humor that he should be selling
2-27 ice cream out of the back of his vehicle, Speaker Laney has long
3-1 endured the good-natured ribbing of his colleagues as a member of
3-2 this chamber, and it is indeed appropriate that this time-honored
3-3 tradition continue as he commemorates the 50th anniversary of his
3-4 birth; now, therefore, be it
3-5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
3-6 Legislature hereby congratulate the Honorable James E. "Pete" Laney
3-7 on the momentous occasion of his 50th birthday and extend warmest
3-8 best wishes to him for another happy and productive year; and, be
3-9 it further
3-10 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-11 prepared for Speaker Laney as an expression of high regard by his
3-12 colleagues in the Texas House of Representatives.