H.R. No. 2083
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Larry Pressler is retiring as director of Parks &
Recreation for McAllen after more than three decades of
distinguished service; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of Texas A&M University, Mr. Pressler
earned his bachelor's degree in recreation and park administration
and joined the McAllen parks department in 1973, becoming director
four years later; at the time, there were 7 parks and 15 employees;
through Mr. Pressler's vision and skillful management, the
department has experienced phenomenal growth and today encompasses
50 parks, as well as an extensive recreation program that provides
after-school activities for more than 1,000 children every day and
serves 6,000 students daily during the summer; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pressler had the foresight in the 1980s to plant
the now-iconic palm trees that line the Business 83 highway; he was
instrumental in the city's acquisition of Quinta Mazatlan, a
historic estate that provides opportunities for birding in the
urban environment, and his efforts in restoring wildlife habitat
won him special recognition from the Rio Grande Valley Birding
Festival; in partnership with the Mexican city of Reynosa, he
established the International Friendship Run, and he created the
Golden Age Olympics for participants aged 50 and older, which helps
promote winter tourism; the A&M Department of Recreation, Park and
Tourism Sciences recognized these accomplishments by presenting
him with the Leslie M. Reid Outstanding Alumnus Award in 1997; and
WHEREAS, Demonstrating exceptional resolve and perseverance
throughout his tenure, Mr. Pressler undertook a number of major
projects that were decades in the making; through his expertise in
obtaining grants and ability to maximize efficiencies, he
ultimately succeeded in providing such amenities as the hike and
bike trails along Second Street and Bicentennial Boulevard, the new
amphitheater and sunken gardens at Bill Schupp Park, and the city's
first dog park, scheduled to open in summer 2009; and
WHEREAS, Admired and respected by all who know him, Larry
Pressler has immeasurably enhanced the quality of life in McAllen
through his commitment to developing a first-class park system and
top-notch recreational programs, and his noteworthy achievements
will continue to benefit residents for years to come; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Larry Pressler on his retirement
and commend him for his outstanding contributions; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Pressler as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Gonzales
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2083 was adopted by the House on May
19, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House