H.R. No. 2609 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, July 1, 2011, marks the 50th wedding anniversary of John and Catherine "Kitten" Howard of Austin, and this joyous event provides a fitting opportunity to reflect on their memorable journey together as husband and wife; and WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Howard met through mutual friends Jane and Peter Buchanan at Camp Lejuene, North Carolina, when Mr. Howard was serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and Mrs. Howard was teaching high school history; they were joined in matrimony in 1961 at a ceremony held in Kilmarnock, Virginia; through the years, they have been blessed with a treasured family that includes two children and their spouses, John and Ann Howard and Sally and Richard Beggs, as well as seven grandchildren, Patricia, Susan, and John Howard and Becky, Emily, Richard, and Elizabeth Beggs; and WHEREAS, A graduate of Cornell University, Mr. Howard enjoyed a notable career with Chase Manhattan Bank that took his family to New Jersey, Houston, and Dallas before he retired; Mrs. Howard graduated from the University of Virginia's Mary Washington College and is well known in her neighborhood and congregation for baking cookies, pies, and other treats for every occasion, as well as for the last-day-of-school ice cream party she hosts each year; and WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Howard have long been active in the Presbyterian and Methodist churches, their children's schools, and the Boy and Girl Scouts, and they have also been involved in the Pay It Forward 9/11 event; in addition to attending their grandchildren's activities, they enjoy traveling, exercising, and volunteering at Canyon Creek Elementary School; and WHEREAS, The 50 years of marriage that Mr. and Mrs. Howard have shared is eloquent affirmation of the meaning of love and commitment, and their enduring union is an inspiration to all who know them; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby congratulate John and Catherine Howard on their golden wedding anniversary and extend to them sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. and Mrs. Howard as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Strama ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2609 was adopted by the House on May 30, 2011, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House