82R28941 MMS-F
By: Fraser S.C.R. No. 56
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, John Cowan is retiring from the Texas Association of
Dairymen in June 2011 after serving the organization in several
capacities, including that of executive director, and after
devoting almost 40 years to the dairy industry; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cowan began his career in 1970, when he accepted
a position with an Associated Milk Producers truck facility in
Dublin, Texas; over the years, he rose from washing milk trucks and
tanks to assuming increasing levels of responsibility at different
cooperative locations, all the while advancing his knowledge of the
business through formal and informal education; and
WHEREAS, A longtime resident of Dublin, Mr. Cowan also played
an active civic role in that community during his years there; he
served as president of the Dublin school board and as a member of
the Dublin City Council, and in 1985 he was named Man of the Year;
and
WHEREAS, In 1990, he moved to Arlington to assume a new role
with the Associated Milk Producers, which later merged with other
cooperatives to form the Dairy Farmers of America; he subsequently
became executive director of the newly created Texas Association of
Dairymen, a post he held for eight years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cowan has additionally worked to advance the
interests of his field through his service on various boards and
committees and through his involvement with many organizations and
state agencies, including the Texas Critical Infrastructure
Advisory Group, the State Technical Committee of the Natural
Resources Conservation Service, and the United States Animal Health
Association; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan has devoted countless hours to
advocating for and defending the rights of dairy farmers; his
contributions over the course of a distinguished career were
recognized in 2009 when the Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council
bestowed on him its highest honor, naming him Cooperator of the
Year; and
WHEREAS, John Cowan has been described by his peers as "a man
of extreme importance to agriculture" and as "a hardworking,
knowledgeable, honest and loyal representative [of] the industry";
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby extend its thanks and appreciation to John Cowan for his
years of service to the Texas dairy industry and wish him the best
in his retirement; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Cowan as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives and Senate.