85R33356 JGH-D
By: Craddick H.R. No. 2534
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Rod Welsh concluded his tenure as the house
sergeant-at-arms on October 31, 2016, drawing to a close more than
three decades of exemplary service to the Texas House of
Representatives; and
WHEREAS, A native of Fort Worth and a graduate of The
University of Texas, Mr. Welsh first joined the Office of the House
Sergeant-at-Arms for the 69th Legislature in 1985, when the chamber
was being guided by Speaker Gib Lewis; beginning as assistant
sergeant, he was mentored by Sergeant-at-Arms Ron Hinkle and by Ann
Harlow, who served the office in a number of capacities through the
years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Welsh went on to hold the positions of
doorkeeper and floor supervisor, and he was first appointed as
sergeant-at-arms in 1993 for the 73rd Session; over the course of
the next quarter century, he became the longest-serving
sergeant-at-arms in the history of the Texas Legislature; in
addition to Speaker Lewis, he worked for three other speakers, Pete
Laney, Tom Craddick, and Joe Straus, each of whom came to rely on
his expertise and precise attention to detail; and
WHEREAS, During his time as sergeant-at-arms, Mr. Welsh was
responsible for maintaining order in the house chamber and meeting
rooms, securing the attendance of members, and assisting all house
officers in carrying out their administrative duties; he also
managed the operations of the sergeant's office, ensuring the
success of the day-to-day functions of the chamber; and
WHEREAS, Since leaving the house sergeant's office,
Mr. Welsh has continued to serve the Lone Star State in his new
position as executive director of the State Preservation Board,
where he oversees the preservation and maintenance of the Texas
Capitol and its grounds, as well as the Governor's Mansion, the
Texas State Cemetery, and the Bullock Texas State History Museum;
and
WHEREAS, Rod Welsh's dedication, professionalism, and
commitment to public service greatly benefited the members of the
Texas House of Representatives as well as all citizens of the Lone
Star State, and his contributions are indeed deserving of special
recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby commend Rod Welsh for his service to the Office
of the House Sergeant-at-Arms 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. Welsh as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.