| 1 | 1 | | SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 702 |
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| 2 | 2 | | In Memory |
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| 3 | 3 | | of |
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| 4 | 4 | | Johnny Welton Self |
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| 5 | 5 | | WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and |
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| 6 | 6 | | commemorates the life of Johnny Welton Self, who died December |
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| 7 | 7 | | 21, 2022, at the age of 72; and |
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| 8 | 8 | | WHEREAS, Johnny Self was born on January 29, 1950, in |
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| 9 | 9 | | Zachary, Louisiana; a fiercely determined civic leader, he broke |
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| 10 | 10 | | through countless barriers and dedicated his career to serving |
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| 11 | 11 | | the residents of the Lone Star State; and |
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| 12 | 12 | | WHEREAS, After earning a degree in business management |
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| 13 | 13 | | from Southern University in 1972, John became the first Black |
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| 14 | 14 | | firefighter to serve with the Arlington Fire Department in 1973; |
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| 15 | 15 | | he bravely served the Arlington community while demonstrating |
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| 16 | 16 | | the unique courage and sound judgment of his profession with |
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| 17 | 17 | | pride; and |
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| 18 | 18 | | WHEREAS, After leaving the fire department, John worked |
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| 19 | 19 | | for the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts before |
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| 20 | 20 | | transitioning to a role with TXU Energy; a magnetic leader and |
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| 21 | 21 | | trailblazer, he was elected vice president of the TXU Energy |
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| 22 | 22 | | board and was the first Black man to serve in the role; and |
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| 23 | 23 | | WHEREAS, John acted as a government advisor with TXU Energy |
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| 24 | 24 | | and Oncor Electric Delivery and worked closely with many state |
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| 25 | 25 | | officials and political leaders throughout his career; his |
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| 26 | 26 | | unflagging optimism and commitment to serving the public |
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| 27 | 27 | | established him as a widely respected and popular figure at the |
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| 28 | 28 | | Texas Capitol, and he continued to serve as a political |
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| 29 | 29 | | consultant after his retirement from the energy sector; and |
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| 30 | 30 | | WHEREAS, John was a devoted parishioner of Mount Olive |
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| 31 | 31 | | Baptist Church, where he served as an usher, Sunday school |
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| 32 | 32 | | teacher, deacon, and executive board member; he was married to |
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| 33 | 33 | | the love of his life, Beatrice, for 49 years, and he cherished his |
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| 34 | 34 | | two children, Jeremy and Jarita, and his three grandchildren; and |
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| 35 | 35 | | WHEREAS, A man of courage, strength, and integrity, |
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| 36 | 36 | | Johnny's wisdom and generous spirit enriched the lives of many, |
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| 37 | 37 | | and his memory will be forever treasured by his loved ones and |
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| 38 | 38 | | friends and by all who were privileged to share in his life; now, |
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| 39 | 39 | | therefore, be it |
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| 40 | 40 | | RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th |
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| 41 | 41 | | Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved |
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| 42 | 42 | | family of Johnny Welton Self; and, be it further |
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| 43 | 43 | | RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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| 44 | 44 | | his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas |
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| 45 | 45 | | Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in |
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| 46 | 46 | | memory of Johnny Self. |
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| 47 | 47 | | West |
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| 48 | 48 | | ________________________________ |
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| 49 | 49 | | President of the Senate |
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| 50 | 50 | | I hereby certify that the |
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| 51 | 51 | | above Resolution was adopted by |
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| 52 | 52 | | the Senate on May 28, 2023, by a |
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| 53 | 53 | | rising vote. |
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| 54 | 54 | | ________________________________ |
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| 55 | 55 | | Secretary of the Senate |
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| 56 | 56 | | ________________________________ |
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| 57 | 57 | | Member, Texas Senate |
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