R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to pay
 1-2     tribute to the Honorable Joe Cannon of Mexia in recognition of his
 1-3     66th birthday; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Born on January 29, 1935, in Thornton, Mr. Cannon
 1-5     graduated as salutatorian of his Mexia High School class; he earned
 1-6     a bachelor's degree in political science from North Texas State
 1-7     College, where he served as student body president, and obtained
 1-8     his law degree from The University of Texas School of Law; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, Elected to three terms in the Texas House of
1-10     Representatives, he chaired the State Hospitals and Special Schools
1-11     Committee, participated in the Rules, Motor Traffic, Judiciary,
1-12     Criminal Jurisprudence, and State Affairs committees, and served as
1-13     a member of the Texas Legislative Council; after his service as a
1-14     state representative, Mr. Cannon remained active in legislative
1-15     issues, and in the late 1970s he chaired the sunset committee of
1-16     the State Bar of Texas; and
1-17           WHEREAS, For the last three years he has been a member of the
1-18     North Texas Exes Board of Directors, and he is the immediate past
1-19     chair of its legislative committee; his leadership abilities have
1-20     also benefited the boards of the State Bar of Texas and The
1-21     University of Texas Law Exes; he is a life member and past trustee
1-22     of the Texas Bar Foundation and has been listed in Who's Who in
1-23     American Lawyers; additionally, he has served as Limestone County
1-24     Democratic Party chairman for 12 years and a member of the State
 2-1     Democratic Committee for two years; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, Mr. Cannon has worked for the betterment of his
 2-3     community in a number of roles: as a member of the Mexia and
 2-4     Groesbeck Chambers of Commerce and the Groesbeck Lions Club,
 2-5     trustee of the Mexia Independent School District, and director of
 2-6     Farmers State Bank; he is also an active congregant of the First
 2-7     Presbyterian Church of Mexia; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, In recognition of his myriad contributions to his
 2-9     fellow Texans, Mr. Cannon has received the Green Glory Award from
2-10     his undergraduate alma mater, the University of North Texas, and an
2-11     Outstanding Alumnus award from the university's School of Political
2-12     Science; a partner in the Cannon and Simmons law firm, he was
2-13     elected to the Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas for
2-14     donating significant time in free legal services to Central Texas
2-15     residents in need of assistance; and
2-16           WHEREAS, Widower of Alice Jean Sundberg and loving father of
2-17     JoAl Cannon-Sheridan and Thure Cannon, this noteworthy gentleman
2-18     has long demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his family, his
2-19     community, and to all the citizens of the Lone Star State, and it
2-20     is a privilege to join in honoring him at this time; now,
2-21     therefore, be it
2-22           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-23     Legislature hereby congratulate the Honorable Joe Cannon on the
2-24     joyous occasion of his 66th birthday and extend to him sincere best
2-25     wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it further
2-26        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared
2-27     for Mr. Cannon as an expression of high regard by the Texas House
 3-1     of Representatives.
                                                                     Farabee
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 401 was adopted by the House on March
         6, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House