85R10845 JCD-D
By: Villalba H.R. No. 402
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Gordon Echtenkamp has retired from his role as
president and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas after four
decades of outstanding service to the YMCA organization; and
WHEREAS, A native of Fremont, Nebraska, Gordon Echtenkamp
spent countless childhood hours at the local YMCA, where he went on
to become a youth club leader in his teens; in 1976, he began his
professional career with the organization, and over the next 26
years, he worked at YMCA locations in Kansas City, Memphis,
Houston, Phoenix, and Des Moines; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Echtenkamp joined the YMCA of Metropolitan
Dallas as its president and CEO in January 2002; over the course of
his distinguished tenure, the organization served more than 300,000
residents of the greater Dallas area, with 4,500 children
participating each day in its after-school and camp programs; under
Mr. Echtenkamp's leadership, the organization's fund-raising
efforts generated more than $110 million, in addition to capital
development initiatives totaling $80 million in contributions for
new YMCA facilities and updates to existing locations across North
Texas; in recognition of his invaluable contributions,
Mr. Echtenkamp has been named president emeritus of the Dallas Y;
and
WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan has further invested his time
and talents as chair of the Character Coalition of North Texas, the
Texas Alliance of YMCAs, the YMCA Employee Benefits Plan, and the
YMCA North American Network, and as a member of the Association of
YMCA Professionals and the United Way Campaign Cabinet; and
WHEREAS, Widely admired by his peers, colleagues, and the
community at large, Gordon Echtenkamp has greatly advanced the
mission of the YMCA, and his efforts have indeed contributed to the
well-being of residents across North Texas; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Gordon Echtenkamp on his
retirement from the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas 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. Echtenkamp as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.