88R29100 JRI-D By: Zaffirini S.R. No. 653 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Koepp Chevrolet in La Vernia is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding in 2023; and WHEREAS, This venerable enterprise was established in 1923 by Ewald Otto Koepp, a cotton farmer, and in the early years, the garage provided maintenance on vehicles, operated a single gas pump, and sold tires; in the late 1920s, it became an authorized dealer for Chevrolet; and WHEREAS, After weathering the Depression and World War II, the company began to offer additional services; Mr. Koepp became a notary public and performed state vehicle inspections, and his staff managed the bus stop in front of the garage that brought in passengers from San Antonio; Mr. Koepp's efforts to better the community included serving on boards that brought electricity and running water to the area, maintaining local fire equipment, and building a local playground; committed to education, he also played an integral role in the creation of the La Vernia Independent School District; and WHEREAS, Mr. Koepp's son, Ewald "Junior" Koepp, took over the business in 1969; in addition to serving the community as mayor, he helped to establish the high school football team and the local chamber of commerce, and he played a key role in developing subdivisions, building highways, and convincing businesses like H-E-B to come to La Vernia; his son, Dwight, joined the company at age 16 and eventually worked in every part of the business before officially becoming owner in 2003; today, the dealership continues its long tradition of service, and it supports many local organizations, including La Vernia ISD; and WHEREAS, One of the oldest family-owned dealerships in the country, Koepp Chevrolet has built a record of dependability and longevity with generations of loyal customers, and it is indeed a pleasure to honor the Koepp family for the contributions they have made to the La Vernia community over the past century; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of Koepp Chevrolet and extend to Dwight Koepp and his employees sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Koepp Chevrolet as an expression of high regard by the Texas Senate.