81R36534 BPG-D
By: Kuempel H.R. No. 2806
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The State of Texas lost a passionate leader and
dynamic trailblazer with the death of the Honorable Richard F.
Williamson on December 30, 2007, at the age of 55; and
WHEREAS, Born on January 25, 1952, in Abilene, the county
seat of Taylor County, Ric Williamson attended The University of
Texas at Austin and married a fellow Longhorn, the former Mary Ann
Welsch, in 1973; he earned his bachelor's degree the following
year, and the couple went on to settle in Weatherford; they shared a
rewarding relationship and Mr. Williamson always took great pride
in his family; they raised three beautiful daughters, Melissa,
Katherine, and Sara, and later welcomed two grandchildren into the
family; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williamson founded RAW Energy with two partners
and later he and Mrs. Williamson established MKS Consulting
Corporation, which continues in operation today; in his leisure
time, Mr. Williams was an avid hunter and also enjoyed supporting
women's fast-pitch softball; and
WHEREAS, Caring deeply about the well-being of his community
and his state, Mr. Williamson began his public service in 1985, when
residents of Parker and Wise Counties elected him to the Texas House
of Representatives; during his 14 years as representative for
District 61, he served on a number of legislative committees and as
vice chair of appropriations; in this role, Mr. Williamson became
fondly known as one of the "Pit Bulls," conservative lawmakers who
seriously questioned how the state spent its money; Mr. Williamson
believed strongly that funding should be tied to the setting and
meeting of goals, a process now known as performance budgeting; his
professional and legislative accomplishments earned him many
awards through the years, and he was particularly proud of his
recognition as one of the state's Ten Best Legislators by Texas
Monthly magazine in both 1989 and 1991; and
WHEREAS, Although Mr. Williamson left the legislature in
1998, he remained committed to making a positive difference in his
state, and soon returned to Austin at the request of a fellow house
member and close friend, Governor Rick Perry; in 2001, Governor
Perry appointed him to serve on the Texas Transportation
Commission, and in January 2004, Mr. Williamson was named its
chair, a position he held for the rest of his life; as chair, Mr.
Williamson became the state's greatest advocate for improving the
transportation system by "thinking big, planning large, and
executing huge"; and
WHEREAS, This dynamic Texan fought tirelessly on the federal,
state, and local levels to bring attention to the urgent necessity
of acting immediately in order to meet our future transportation
needs; through his steadfast leadership, Texas gained a strategic
plan with goals to reduce congestion, improve safety, expand
economic opportunity, increase the value of assets along its
highway system, and improve the state's air quality; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williamson will be long remembered for proposing
and realizing ambitious solutions to the state's longstanding
transportation challenges, and for the lasting effect of his
efforts to empower local leaders to make local transportation
decisions; he approached all his endeavors with remarkable
determination, discipline, and strength, and he drew a circle of
close friends and admirers, enhancing their lives with his
friendship and loyalty; and
WHEREAS, Although it is impossible to measure the full effect
of one man's life, through his dedication to the people of Texas,
Ric Williamson left an inspiring legacy that will continue to shape
the state's infrastructure and contribute to its prosperity for
years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay special tribute to the memory of the
Honorable Richard F. Williamson, and extend sincere sympathy to all
who mourn his loss; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Richard F.
"Ric" Williamson, former state representative and chair of the
Texas Transportation Commission.