H.R. No. 2284
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Bill O'Neal was named 2014 Citizen of the Year at the
69th Annual Panola County Chamber of Commerce membership banquet
held on February 19, 2015; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan taught history at Panola College
for close to four decades; his lessons are fondly remembered by
countless former students, some of whom were the second generation
in their families to take his classes; in recognition of his
outstanding contributions to the college, a new dormitory has been
named in his honor; and
WHEREAS, Mr. O'Neal has immersed himself in the history of
Texas and has penned over 40 books in that field; his knowledge of
and passion for the subject led to his appointment as State
Historian of Texas in 2012, and in 2014, he became the first person
to be named to a second term in that position; as the ambassador for
Texas history, he has traveled extensively to extol the rich
heritage of the Lone Star State, addressing classrooms of children
as well as teachers, civic groups, and historical clubs; and
WHEREAS, Along the way, Bill O'Neal has remained deeply
rooted in the county he calls home; he is an active member of
Central Baptist Church in Carthage, where he volunteers as church
historian and as a Sunday school leader, and he has served as chair
of the building committee; he has also served on the board of Panola
General Hospital, and he is a current board member for the local
branch of Hochheim Prairie Insurance; and
WHEREAS, A former broadcaster for KGAS Radio, Mr. O'Neal
continues to appear as a guest on the station's Panola Pride show;
for more than 30 years, he was the "Voice of the Panola Ponies," and
he has broadcast events for numerous other teams in the area, in
addition to serving as a founding member of several local
children's sports leagues; and
WHEREAS, Bill O'Neal's public-spirited contributions are an
inspiration to all who know him, and with his receipt of this
well-deserved honor, he may indeed reflect with pride on the many
ways that he has enriched the lives of fellow Texans near and far;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Bill O'Neal on his selection as the
2014 Citizen of the Year by the Panola County Chamber of Commerce
and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. O'Neal as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Paddie
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2284 was adopted by the House on May
21, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House