85R10354 RMA-D By: Gonzales of Williamson H.C.R. No. 66 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Eugene Adrian Van Zelfden Jr. of Austin has dedicated much of his life to serving his fellow citizens, and his noteworthy efforts indeed merit special recognition; and WHEREAS, A Distinguished Honor Graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1969, Mr. Van Zelfden proudly served his country as a member of the armed forces, eventually rising to the rank of captain; as a civilian, he earned an MBA from Southern Illinois University in 1972 and a juris doctor degree from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1978; jointly licensed as a certified public accountant and an attorney, he has practiced in both fields since 1979, and he currently works at the Fowler Law Firm in Austin and teaches business courses as an adjunct faculty member at Wizard Academy; and WHEREAS, In 1985, Mr. Van Zelfden founded the Texas Grassroots Coalition with the goal of informing the public of civic and governmental affairs; he also wrote and published a monthly newsletter about Texas government and wrote, produced, and voiced the daily radio program the Texas Minute, which aired on 24 stations across the state; he went on to organize the Tax Practice Group in 2002, where he served as a volunteer coordinator, teaching updates in federal and state tax laws to CPAs, tax attorneys, and other tax preparers in Central Texas, and in 2008, he created Tidbits in Time Almanac, a modern version of Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack; and WHEREAS, Adrian Van Zelfden is truly a public-spirited Texan, and his significant contributions to his community are to be commended; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby honor Eugene Adrian Van Zelfden Jr. for his outstanding civic engagement 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. Van Zelfden as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.