SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 299
WHEREAS, The Texas Masonry Hall of Fame is inducting Mackie
Bounds, Kevin Camarata, Dennis Knautz, and Mel Oller on March 20,
2025, in a ceremony conducted at the Alamo in San Antonio; and
WHEREAS, A towering figure in Texas commercial masonry for
more than four decades, Mackie Bounds joined Al Brown Masonry in
1980; he went on to shape the industry as a founding member and
president of the Central Texas Masonry Contractors Association;
in addition, he has served as president of the Texas Construction
Association, Mason Contractors Association of America, and Texas
Masonry Council; he has been a tireless, visionary advocate for
masonry and oversaw the creation of the Masonry Rocks workforce
development program, which has introduced thousands of high
school students to the trade; and
WHEREAS, Kevin Camarata has advanced Texas masonry over
the course of four decades; as CEO of Camarata Masonry Systems,
he built one of the nation's largest firms, which has redrawn
Houston's skyline with such iconic projects as Enron Field and
Rice University; he served as president of the board of TMC and
authored key bylaws and fostered supplier engagement;
recognizing the importance of workforce development, he
championed training programs through Construction Career
Collaborative; he also guided industry best practices through
involvement with MCAA and the Associated Masonry Contractors of
Houston; and
WHEREAS, A pioneering architect of today's TMC, Dennis
Knautz changed the industry's landscape through his steadfast
commitment to corporate responsibility; during a career with
Acme Brick spanning over four decades, he helped orchestrate the
merger of TMC and the Southwest Brick Institute, resulting in a
strong funding framework for statewide growth and advocacy;
moreover, he has encouraged leadership from major manufacturers,
championed masonry ordinances, and guided organizations through
challenging times; and
WHEREAS, Mel Oller has strengthened professional
associations through careful financial stewardship and steadfast
devotion; he has served twice as TMC president, and he is a former
president of the Associated Masonry Contractors of Houston as
well; through national ASTM committees, he has been a powerful
voice for fair codes; a trained union bricklayer turned
estimator, he revived vital cost guides, and he has worked to
preserve industry history; in addition, he has mentored and
taught countless younger masons; and
WHEREAS, Generously sharing their time and expertise,
these inductees have elevated the masonry construction industry
across the Lone Star State, and in so doing, they have inspired
others to uphold a tradition of excellence and innovation; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th
Legislature, hereby congratulate Mackie Bounds, Kevin Camarata,
Dennis Knautz, and Mel Oller on their induction in the Texas
Masonry Hall of Fame and extend to them sincere best wishes for
the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That official copies of this Resolution be
prepared for the inductees as an expression of high regard from
the Texas Senate.
Campbell
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 24, 2025.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate