88R8318 CJM-D
By: Craddick H.C.R. No. 19
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Don Sparks, chair of the board for Discovery
Operating, has been named the 2022 Top Hand by the Permian Basin
Petroleum Association; and
WHEREAS, An Amarillo native, Mr. Sparks earned a petroleum
engineering degree from The University of Texas at Austin in 1962,
and after serving in the U.S. Navy for four years, he embarked on
his distinguished career in the petroleum industry; initially, he
held a number of engineering and consulting roles with such
companies as Bailey, Sipes, Williamson and Runyan, Freeport Oil
Company, and Shell Oil Company; and
WHEREAS, After settling in Midland, he and his wife,
Gwyndolyn, decided to use their savings to launch Discovery
Operating in 1973; so began the independent company's many decades
of success, and in 2023, Discovery will celebrate its 50th
anniversary; in addition, Mr. Sparks joined with C. Ronald Platt to
cofound the engineering consulting firm Platt, Sparks & Associates
in 1980; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sparks has been active in myriad professional
organizations, including the Society of Petroleum Engineers
Permian Basin Chapter, the Independent Petroleum Association of
America, and the National Society of Petroleum Engineers; moreover,
his family and company have supported such worthwhile causes as
High Sky Children's Ranch and The Village at Manor Park; in
recognition of his many accomplishments, he was named a UT
Distinguished Alumnus and was inducted into the Petroleum Hall of
Fame, and he has received an Independent Petroleum Association of
America Leadership Award and a Hearst Energy Award for Lifetime
Achievement; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sparks and Mrs. Sparks are the parents of three
sons, Jeff, Kevin, and Todd, and they also take great pride in their
grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Through his leadership, vision, and expertise, Don
Sparks has earned the lasting respect of his peers in the petroleum
industry, and he is truly deserving of this prestigious honor; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby congratulate Don Sparks on his receipt of the 2022 Top Hand
award from the Permian Basin Petroleum Association and extend to
him sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Sparks as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives and Senate.