H.R. No. 2439
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Honorable Bill Freeman is retiring as Cooke
County judge on May 29, 2009, having served with distinction for
eight years; and
WHEREAS, A native of southern Oklahoma, Judge Freeman holds a
degree in criminal justice; before taking office as county judge,
he served for more than two decades as a justice of the peace for
Precinct 1 and was named Judge of the Year by the State of Texas
Justice of the Peace Association; and
WHEREAS, Judge Freeman has overseen numerous important
projects, among them the construction of three new EMS stations and
a 212-bed jail, which houses new offices for the sheriff and justice
of the peace, as well as the purchase and remodeling of the Dixon
Street Courthouse Annex Building; also during his tenure, the
courthouse underwent a multimillion-dollar restoration with grants
from the Texas Historical Commission, and he directed the
institution of such technological advances as a county website,
high-speed Internet accessibility throughout the courthouse, and
credit card fine payment systems for many county offices; through
his sound fiscal management, the county has maintained a positive
cash balance fund; and
WHEREAS, Deeply committed to civic life, Judge Freeman serves
in such key roles as vice chair of the Texas Association of Counties
Workers Compensation Trust Board, president of the Texoma Area
Solid Waste Authority, and president of the Texoma Council of
Governments; he is a former president of the Justice of the Peace
and Constables Association of Texas, the Gainesville Optimist Club,
and the North Texas Justice of the Peace and Constables
Association, and a former vice president of the Texas Association
of Counties; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed public servant shared his knowledge
and expertise as a faculty member for the Texas Justice Court
Training Center, for North Central Texas College, and for a number
of commissions and organizations; moreover, he is a valued member
of Hillcrest Church of Christ; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his myriad community
responsibilities, Judge Freeman is a businessman with a farming and
ranching operation near Marietta, Oklahoma; his retirement will
allow him more time to spend at the ranch and with his family, which
includes his wife, Rae Freeman, and their 8 children, 18
grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Bill Freeman has enhanced the quality of life in
Cooke County through his vision and skillful leadership, and his
many significant achievements will continue to benefit his fellow
citizens for years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Judge Bill Freeman on his
retirement and extend to him best wishes for continued success and
happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Judge Freeman as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Hardcastle
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2439 was adopted by the House on May
24, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House