83S10193 BK-D
By: Price H.R. No. 129
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Ray M. Bain of Dimmitt is to be commended for his
longtime business leadership, civic engagement, and philanthropy
in the Texas Panhandle; and
WHEREAS, Born in Plainview, Mr. Bain attended West Texas A&M
University and continued his education at the SW Graduate School of
Banking; he first worked in banking at the age of 15, as a part-time
teller, and he embarked on a full-time career in the industry in
1960, when he accepted a job as a teller and as an assistant
bookkeeper at Hale County State Bank; and
WHEREAS, In 1970, Mr. Bain moved to Perryton to assume the
role of vice president and cashier of the town's First National Bank
branch, now known as First Bank Southwest; after more than a decade
in that post, he relocated to Deming, New Mexico, where he spent
four years as president of Mimbres Valley Bank; and
WHEREAS, Ray Bain returned to the Texas Panhandle in 1985 to
become president and CEO of First State Bank; two years later, he
led an investor group in purchasing First State, which became First
United Bank in 1994; under the astute guidance of Mr. Bain and his
sons, R. Mark Bain and Michael L. Bain, First United Bank expanded
from a single location to 15 locations across the Panhandle and the
South Plains, while its total assets increased from $42 million to
approximately $1.2 billion; now retired from the day-to-day
management of the bank, Mr. Bain continues to chair the board of
directors; and
WHEREAS, In addition to guiding the development of First
United, Mr. Bain has contributed to the banking industry through
his service on boards and committees for a number of trade
organizations; for his lifetime of achievement, he has been honored
with the Distinguished Banker Award from the Panhandle-South Plains
Bankers Association and the 50-Year Banker Award from the Texas
Bankers Association; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed civic leader has further shared his
time and talents as a trustee for the Perryton Independent School
District, as a board member and president of the chambers of
commerce in Perryton, Deming, and Dimmitt, and as a member of the
Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs, as well as through his involvement with
the YMCA and Little League; his community service has been
recognized with Citizen of the Year awards in both Perryton and
Dimmitt and with the Workhorse of the Year award from the Kiwanis
Club in Perryton; and
WHEREAS, A proud alumnus of WTAMU, Mr. Bain has given
generously to his alma mater, playing an instrumental role in the
creation of the Bain Athletic Center; he is also responsible for the
creation of the $1 million First United Bank Endowment, which funds
scholarships for WTAMU students, and the First United Bank
Classroom, which is used for computer-based courses; in
appreciation of his staunch support, WTAMU has conferred on him the
Pinnacle Award and the Legacy Award and made him a lifetime member
of the Buffalo Club; and
WHEREAS, Ray Bain and his wife, Barbara, have shared a
rewarding marriage of more than 55 years; their fine family
includes their two sons, their daughter, Nancy Seybert, and many
treasured grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Ray Bain has forged an outstanding career in banking
while in turn striving to create opportunity for countless fellow
citizens, and his efforts have won him the lasting respect and
admiration of all who are privileged to know him; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby honor Ray M. Bain for his
immeasurable contributions to advancing the quality of life on the
South Plains and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued
success and happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Bain as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.