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