TITLE: In memory of former Arlington mayor SJ Stovall.

SUMMARY: In memory of former Arlington mayor SJ Stovall.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The city of Arlington lost one of its influential leaders with the passing of former mayor and longtime city council member SJ Stovall on July 14, 2010, at the age of 84; and WHEREAS, Born on September 26, 1925, in Lufkin, SJ Stovall received his two-letter first name when his parents put his father's initials on his birth certificate as a temporary measure and ended up never changing it; he served his nation as a member of the U.S. Air Force and studied at Texas A&M University before taking a position with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where he worked for 34 years; and WHEREAS, After being assigned to the Arlington area, Mr. Stovall and his family settled in the city in 1950; his career in local government began in 1963 when he was first elected to the city council; his engineering background was of great benefit during the years when Interstate 20 was constructed through the Metroplex, and he also provided key input and guidance on numerous other issues during his 14 years as a council member; and WHEREAS, In 1977, he was serving as mayor pro tem when Mayor Tom Vandergriff unexpectedly announced that he was leaving office; Mr. Stovall took over as mayor and remained in that post for six years; his tenure was highlighted by his successful support for the building of the Arlington Convention Center and an adjacent hotel on land that had previously been occupied by a failed theme park owned by the city; the convention center project boosted the city's stature and finances and is credited with laying the groundwork for further development; in addition, Mayor Stovall helped convince a number of companies to establish operations in Arlington and was instrumental in the founding of Leadership Arlington; and WHEREAS, This accomplished public servant opted not to seek reelection in 1983; soon after stepping down, he was appointed to the Tarrant County Commissioners Court, where he served with distinction until 1985; he also held other prominent positions through the years, including service as president of the North Central Texas Council of Governments, as chair of the Central Regional Waste Water System Advisory Committee, and as a member of the boards for Mission Arlington/Mission Metroplex and Arlington Memorial Hospital; and WHEREAS, In recognition of his many contributions, the City of Arlington named SJ Stovall Park in his honor in 1991; that tribute is a reflection of the great respect that was afforded Mayor Stovall by his fellow citizens, and he will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all who had the good fortune to know him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable SJ Stovall and extend deepest condolences to the members of his family: to his son, Marc Stovall; to his daughter, Elizabeth Stovall; to his sister, Marilyn Stovall; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of SJ Stovall. Patrick Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 404 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 3, 2011. Chief Clerk of the House