86R36800 KSM-D
By: Parker H.C.R. No. 180
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, September 6, 2019, marks the 50th wedding
anniversary of Representative Tom Craddick and Nadine Craddick, and
this joyous event provides a fitting opportunity to reflect on
their remarkable journey together as husband and wife; and
WHEREAS, Tom Craddick and the former Nadine Nayfa met in the
library at Texas Tech University, where they both were students;
Tom earned his bachelor's degree in business and his MBA from Texas
Tech, and Nadine completed her bachelor's degree in education at
the university; in 1969, Nadine began teaching while Tom began his
first term in the Texas House, and as the pair looked forward to
their September wedding date, they found that the obligations of
the Texas Legislature can interfere with the best-laid plans; the
governor called two consecutive special sessions that summer, the
second of which didn't end until three days after their wedding
date, and although the ceremony proceeded, their honeymoon was
delayed; so began their rewarding marriage, and in the years that
followed, the Craddicks welcomed the arrival of two children,
Christi and Thomas, while working tirelessly together in behalf of
their community and the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, Representative Craddick made state history in 2003,
when he became the first Republican speaker of the House in over 130
years; he served in that role until 2009, and during his tenure, the
$10 billion budget shortfall was transformed into a surplus of
equal size; moreover, the legislature passed landmark tort reform
and the largest property tax cut in state history; his commitment to
higher education has greatly benefited such institutions as Midland
College, The University of Texas Permian Basin, and the Texas Tech
University Health Sciences Center; in addition, he has helped
effect far-reaching developments in the areas of energy, health
care, mental health, transportation infrastructure, and the
prevention of distracted driving; he is also a respected member of
the business community as owner of Craddick Properties and
president of Craddick Incorporated and as a sales representative
for Anchor Drilling Fluids USA; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Craddick has served Midland in a host of
leadership roles over the years, among them chair of the Midland
Chamber of Commerce and charter member of the Council Against
Substance Abuse and the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance
board; furthermore, she helped found Midland County Families in
Action and was a member of the Midland Hotel/Motel Tax Advisory
Board; at the state level, she served on the Governor's Commission
for Women and as First Lady of the Texas House, she raised private
funds for the renovation of the Speaker's Apartment and Members
Lounge and oversaw the project; the Texas Historical Commission
recognized her efforts with the prestigious Chairman's Award; a
sustaining member of the Republican Women's Club, she has been very
active in the party, serving as a state delegate since 1971; she is
employed as vice president and secretary of Craddick Incorporated;
and
WHEREAS, Widely admired for their philanthropy, the
Craddicks have established the Tom and Nadine Craddick Presidential
Scholarship Endowment at Texas Tech, the Nadine and Tom Craddick
Distinguished Chair in Medical Science at The University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center, and the Nadine Craddick Endowment Fund
at Midland Memorial Hospital; active in their faith community as
well, they have received papal recognition as members of the
Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, the Craddicks have been blessed
with three grandchildren, Thomas, Claire, and Catherine; the couple
enjoy spending time with their cherished family at their Horseshoe
Bay retreat, and they love to travel, expand their knowledge, and
explore their love of art; and
WHEREAS, The half century of marriage that Tom and Nadine
Craddick have shared is eloquent affirmation of the meaning of
love, and the strength of their union and of their commitment to the
greater good is an inspiration to all who know them; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby congratulate Tom and Nadine Craddick on their 50th wedding
anniversary and extend to them sincere best wishes for continued
happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Craddicks as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives and Senate.