H.C.R. No. 13
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Discovery Operating in Midland is celebrating the
50th anniversary of its founding on October 12, 2023, and this
occasion offers a welcome opportunity to recognize the history and
accomplishments of this venerable petroleum industry business; and
WHEREAS, Discovery Operating opened its doors in 1973, after
Don Sparks and his wife, Gwyn, invested $10,000 of their savings to
get the business off the ground; a 1962 graduate of The University
of Texas at Austin, where he earned a degree in petroleum
engineering, Mr. Sparks had worked for a number of oil and gas firms
in the 1960s and early 1970s; he drew on that experience and put in
countless hours of hard work to make Discovery a success; the
company has grown steadily over the years, focusing on discovering
and developing its own production, and today it operates hundreds
of wells in the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, An independent, family-run business, Discovery
Operating benefits from the efforts of multiple members of the
Sparks family; Don Sparks continues to oversee the company in his
role as chairman of the board, while Gwyn Sparks works in the
accounting office; their children, Jeff Sparks, state senator Kevin
Sparks, and Todd Sparks, serve as chief operating officer, chief
executive officer, and chief financial officer, respectively;
Discovery has also employed Don's brother, Bynum, and the family
legacy is continuing with a third generation now contributing to
the enterprise; and
WHEREAS, In addition to running Discovery Operating, the
members of the Sparks family have given generously of their time and
talents in behalf of their fellow citizens, serving the community
through their membership on various boards and taking an active
role in civic affairs; and
WHEREAS, For half a century, Discovery Operating has
contributed to the economic prosperity of the Midland area and
beyond, and the Sparks family and their employees may indeed take
pride in the business's outstanding record of achievement; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas,
3rd Called Session, hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of
Discovery Operating and extend to all those associated with the
company sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Discovery Operating as an expression of high regard by
the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.
Craddick
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 13 was adopted by the House on
November 1, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 13 was adopted by the Senate on
November 5, 2023, by a viva-voce vote.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor