SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 481
In Memory
of
Val Shepperd
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 working on projects for the
United States Agency for International Development; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Shepperd later returned to Texas and joined
the staff of the Legislative Budget Board as an analyst in 1998,
and his ability to see the big picture while paying close
attention to detail later earned him a promotion to the position
of manager of the public safety and criminal justice team; well
known in the legislative community 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 Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
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 a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family, and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it
do so in memory of Val Shepperd.
Ogden
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 22, 2011, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate