H.R. No. 2017
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Legendary Houston newscaster Dave Ward retired from
ABC affiliate KTRK-TV on May 2, 2017, drawing to a close a
distinguished tenure with the station that spanned more than half a
century; and
WHEREAS, A native of Dallas, Dave Ward grew up in Huntsville
and began his career in broadcast journalism at KGKB radio in Tyler,
while attending college; he subsequently worked at WACO radio in
Waco and at KNUZ/KQUE radio in Houston before joining the staff at
KTRK-TV as a street reporter and photographer in 1966; quickly
establishing himself as a mainstay at the station, he landed roles
as anchor of the weekday morning newscast and as the first host of
the program Dialing for Dollars, which later evolved into Good
Morning Houston; from 1968 until his retirement, he anchored the
weekday evening news at 6 and 10, earning recognition from the
Guinness Book of World Records in June 2016 as the longest-serving
local television news anchor at the same station in the same market;
and
WHEREAS, During his remarkable career at Channel 13
Eyewitness News, Mr. Ward reported on events ranging from the
Vietnam peace talks and NASA space missions to extreme weather and
natural disasters; he covered decades of political conventions and
elections, reported from Central and South America, and interviewed
a number of heads of state, including President Barack Obama; known
for his warm and engaging persona, he became a familiar and beloved
face to Houston residents, who tuned in each night to hear his
famous tagline, "Good evening, friends," and he garnered a sterling
reputation among his colleagues for accuracy and attention to
detail; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan has also played a prominent role
in Houston civic life; he was instrumental in establishing the
Houston Crime Stoppers program, which has been a model for similar
efforts worldwide, and he has served as president of Easter Seals
Greater Houston, as chair of the Public Affairs Advisory Board of
the Greater Houston Business Council, and as a member of the boards
for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Houston Press Club, and the
Houston Police Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, Mr. Ward's contributions both to
journalism and to his community have earned him numerous accolades,
including a regional Emmy for his work on the special Steve Tyrell:
A Houston Standard, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lone Star
Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences,
and induction into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame and Texas
Intercollegiate Press Association Hall of Fame; he has also
received the City of Houston Public Service Award and the Leon
Goldstein Award for Outstanding Service in Fighting Crime, and he
has been honored by the Mexican American Bar Association of Texas;
and
WHEREAS, Dave Ward's talent, professionalism, and dedication
to his fellow citizens have greatly benefited KTRK-TV and the
Houston community for more than 50 years, and he may indeed reflect
with pride on a career well spent as he embarks on the next exciting
chapter of his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Dave Ward on the occasion of his
retirement from KTRK-TV in Houston 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. Ward as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Wu
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2017 was adopted by the House on May
25, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House