82R9280 MGR-D
By: Pitts H.R. No. 498
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Officials and employees of state government lost an
admired and respected friend with the passing of longtime
Legislative Budget Board employee Val Shepperd of Austin on August
22, 2010, at the age of 50; and
WHEREAS, Born on November 8, 1959, in Graham and raised in
Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, Val Shepperd graduated from Kansas
State University in 1982 and from Auburn University in 1984,
earning bachelor's and master's degrees in biology; after
graduation, he went to work in the Dominican Republic and Indonesia
as an aquatic biologist for USAID projects; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Shepperd later returned to Texas and joined the
staff of the LBB as an analyst in 1998, and his ability to see the
big picture while paying close attention to detail later earned him
a promotion as manager of the public safety and criminal justice
team; well-known in the legislative and criminal justice
communities for the depth of his knowledge, he was also appreciated
for his warm and caring personality; and
WHEREAS, Outside the office, Mr. Shepperd was a nature lover
and outdoorsman, and he delighted in scuba diving, kayaking, and
taking trips to Big Bend National Park and Olympic National Park;
with his partner of eight years, Colleen, he also traveled the
world, visiting Thailand, the Cayman Islands, Mexico, Costa Rica,
Bonaire, Australia, Canada, Egypt, and Jordan; and
WHEREAS, During his time on this earth, Val Shepperd lived a
life rich in adventure and accomplishment, and he will always be
remembered with great affection by all those who were privileged to
know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Val Shepperd and
extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
mother, Pat; to his brothers, Scott, Dan, Mark, and Corey; to his
sister, Vicki; to his soul mate and partner, Colleen; and to his
other relatives and many 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 Val
Shepperd.