H.R. No. 2717
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The citizens of Garland lost one of their most
admired community leaders with the death of Stanford Fong on April
27, 2011, at the age of 83; and
WHEREAS, Stanford Fong was born to Chinese immigrant parents
in Lake Village, Arkansas, on August 6, 1927; he proved himself
early in life to be a natural leader, winning election in high
school as president of the student body, the student council, and
the senior class and serving as captain of the football team;
Mr. Fong enrolled in Southern Methodist University in 1945 on a
football scholarship, but his studies were interrupted in 1946,
when he answered his nation's call to duty by enlisting in the U.S.
Army; he served with the army until 1948 and took part in the
postwar occupation of Japan; and
WHEREAS, Stan Fong subsequently returned to SMU and completed
his degree in 1950; recalled to active duty following the outbreak
of the Korean War, he served in Korea until 1951; later, Mr. Fong
enjoyed a long and respected career with Collins Radio
Company/Rockwell International, where he worked until his
retirement in 1987; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan also engaged in extensive public
service; he held a seat on the Garland City Council from 1980 to
1984 and served as mayor pro tem in 1983; in 1990, he received a
presidential appointment from the George H. W. Bush administration
to act as confidential assistant to the regional administrator in
the General Services Administration; moreover, he served on the
Dallas County Appraisal Review Board from 1990 to 1996 and chaired
the board during his final year with that group; and
WHEREAS, A man of deep faith, Mr. Fong served for many years
as a Methodist minister; he also gave generously of his time and
talents as chair of the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of
Commerce, which named him to its honorary advisory board, and as a
director of Community Credit Union, now ViewPoint Bank, for 22
years; he has the distinction of being featured in an exhibit
regarding Asian settlers in Dallas County at the Old Red Museum of
Dallas County History and Culture; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Fong and his wife, the former Ellen Farrar, were
married on April 9, 1948, and they became the devoted parents of
five children, Louise, Debbie, Judy, Don, and Ronald; over the
years, they rejoiced as their family grew to include eight
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Stanford Fong led a life of exemplary service, and
those who were blessed to share in the warmth of his love and
affection will forever hold him close in their hearts; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Stanford Fong and
extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
wife, Ellen Fong; to his daughters and sons-in-law, Louise Sharp
and Dr. Frank Sharp, Debbie Hopson and Dr. Jerry Hopson, and Judy
and Ralph West; to his son and daughter-in-law, Don and Paula Fong;
to his daughter-in-law, Cynthia Fong; to his brothers, Benny Fong
and Wally Fong; to his grandchildren, Christina Montgomery, Nicole
Robinson, Annette Brack, Jamie Sharp, Logan Sharp, Morgan Hopson,
Wilson Fong, and Claire Fong; to his five great-grandchildren; and
to his other relatives and friends; 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 Stanford
Fong.
Button
Madden
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2717 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 30, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House