H.R. No. 630 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The members of the Texas House of Representatives 1-2 take special pleasure in welcoming to the State Capitol our former 1-3 colleague, the Honorable Thomas D. DeLay, who last year was elected 1-4 to serve as majority whip in the United States House of 1-5 Representatives; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Born in Laredo on April 8, 1947, this exceptional 1-7 Texan spent most of his childhood in Venezuela, where his father 1-8 worked as an oil drilling contractor; following his family's return 1-9 to the Lone Star State, he was graduated from Calallan High School 1-10 in Corpus Christi and attended Baylor University before receiving 1-11 his bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Houston 1-12 in 1970; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Three years later, this fine gentleman put this 1-14 degree to good use by becoming the owner of a pest extermination 1-15 company in Houston; his experiences as a small business owner soon 1-16 convinced him to take an active role in creating a government more 1-17 conducive to economic growth and development, and before long he 1-18 found himself serving as precinct chairman of Fort Bend County; and 1-19 WHEREAS, At the suggestion of his friends, he decided to set 1-20 his political sights a bit higher, and in 1978 won election to the 1-21 Texas House of Representatives, becoming the first Republican ever 1-22 elected from Fort Bend County; and 1-23 WHEREAS, A member of the 66th, 67th, and 68th legislatures, 1-24 this outstanding lawmaker represented his constituents in Districts 2-1 21 and 26 with integrity and distinction, and his exemplary 2-2 achievements during this Austin tenure include serving as vice 2-3 chairman for the house administration and the business and industry 2-4 committees; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Winning election in 1984 to the United States House 2-6 of Representatives, he quickly achieved national prominence as one 2-7 of the most outspoken and articulate members of the Grand Old 2-8 Party; Congressman DeLay served as chairman of the Republican Study 2-9 Committee, an important research organization, and later as 2-10 secretary of the House Republican Conference; and 2-11 WHEREAS, In 1994, this esteemed Texan was named house 2-12 majority whip, a designation that has brought great honor and 2-13 influence to the Lone Star State; now, more than 15 years after 2-14 beginning his career in public service, he continues to display the 2-15 courage and determination that has won him the admiration and 2-16 respect of both his constituents and his peers; and 2-17 WHEREAS, Today, as Congressman DeLay pays a visit to his old 2-18 stomping grounds, it is indeed appropriate that he receive an 2-19 official welcome from the Texas House of Representatives; now, 2-20 therefore, be it 2-21 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-22 Legislature hereby welcome the Honorable Tom DeLay and extend to 2-23 him best wishes for an enjoyable visit to the State Capitol; and, 2-24 be it further 2-25 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-26 prepared for Congressman DeLay as an expression of high esteem from 2-27 his former colleagues.