81R32240 MMS-D
By: Bonnen H.R. No. 2159
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Honorable D. R. Uher of Bay City is being
recognized on May 18, 2009, by Bay City Masonic Lodge No. 865 with
that organization's Community Builder Award; and
WHEREAS, The Community Builder Award was adopted by the Grand
Lodge of Texas in 1991 to serve as a means by which local Masonic
lodges might recognize non-Masons who have distinguished
themselves through their service to the community; and
WHEREAS, "Tom" Uher is well known in Bay City for his
outstanding service in the Texas House of Representatives, his
staunch support of local community and church undertakings, and his
significant encouragement of Masonic projects; and
WHEREAS, Initially elected to the 60th Texas Legislature,
this esteemed Texan represented the people of Matagorda County and
its vicinity for some 3-1/2 decades; during that time, his
committee chairmanships included those of the state affairs and
redistricting committees and the higher education subcommittee on
budget and oversight; his laid-back style, disciplined work ethic,
and independent thinking served him well as he successfully passed
important legislation that impacted almost every aspect of our
society and that continues to benefit his district and this state;
and
WHEREAS, The longest continually serving member of the house
during his last 10 years in office, Mr. Uher held the post of
speaker pro tempore from 1993 until 2003; as an elder statesman in
the legislature, he reached out to new members regardless of their
party affiliation and offered them guidance and assistance; and
WHEREAS, Widely acclaimed as the embodiment of a true public
servant, Mr. Uher has received many statewide accolades, including
selection as one of the 10 best legislators by Texas Monthly and one
of the top 11 legislators by the Texas Civil Justice League; he was
also designated as the Outstanding House Chairman by the Texas
Lawman, Representative of the Year by the Texas Game Warden
Association, and Outstanding Legislator by the Texas Junior College
Association; among the many other tributes conferred on him have
been the Legislative Leadership Award of the Texas Chamber of
Commerce, the Distinguished Service Award of the Vocational
Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas, and the White Hat Award
of the Texas Farmers Union; and
WHEREAS, Just as Mr. Uher was always available to his
constituents, he has always given generously of his time and
talents to a host of church and community projects in the Bay City
area; a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Bay
City, he serves his fellow congregants as a Sunday school teacher
and elder; moreover, he remains deeply interested in the state's
educational system and sits on the board of directors of the Wharton
County Junior College Foundation; and
WHEREAS, In his professional life, Mr. Uher maintains an
active legal practice and serves as a member of the Prosperity
Bank--South Texas Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, Tom Uher is the devoted husband of Ann Uher, his wife
of 46 years, and the proud father of three children, Robert, Christi
Jo, and Catherine; he delights in spending time with his grandson,
Christopher, and coaches his basketball squad and minor league
Astros baseball team; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Uher has consistently supported the work of Bay
City Masonic Lodge No. 865 and is especially admired by the members
of that lodge for his sterling character and for his immeasurable
contributions to Bay City and to the Lone Star State; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the Honorable Tom Uher on his
receipt of the Community Builder Award from Masonic Lodge No. 865
and commend him for his exceptional record of public service; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Uher as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.