TITLE: Honoring John M. Turner of Dallas for his service to those who are visually impaired.

SUMMARY: Honoring John M. Turner of Dallas for his service to those who are visually impaired.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, John M. Turner of Dallas has rendered exceptional service to visually impaired individuals in his community and across the state, and his efforts have enriched the lives of countless Texans; and WHEREAS, After losing his sight completely by age 17, Mr. Turner earned a bachelor of business administration degree in marketing from the University of North Texas, where he was elected student body president; he went on to become one of the most successful insurance agents in Dallas, working first with Massachusetts Mutual and since 1970 as an independent broker; and WHEREAS, A tireless advocate for the visually impaired, Mr. Turner served for more than three decades on the Texas Commission for the Blind, and he was appointed chair of the board by Governors Ann Richards and George W. Bush; he also served for 21 years on the board of Dallas Services for Visually Impaired Children, for 22 years on the board of Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind, and for 23 years on the board of the Retina Foundation of the Southwest; in addition, he has been a member of the boards of Dallas Taping for the Blind and The Seeing Eye, as well as a member of the Texas Committee on Purchases of Products and Services of Blind and Severely Disabled Persons; moreover, he has mentored a number of young men who are blind, encouraging them to persevere in realizing their full potential; and WHEREAS, John Turner has further given of his time and energies to the YMCA, coaching the Park Cities boys baseball team, chairing a membership drive for the downtown Y, and assisting Camp Grady Spruce as a membership quota buster; he has also served on the board of trustees of the Leukemia Society of America Dallas Chapter; and WHEREAS, In recognition of his outstanding civic engagement, Mr. Turner has received a number of well-deserved accolades; The Seeing Eye presented him with the 1995 Morris Frank Award, which honors graduates of The Seeing Eye who have achieved professional success and who have helped to create opportunities for the visually impaired, and in 1997, KRLD News Radio in Dallas named him Citizen of the Week; in 2000, this esteemed Texan received the Catherine T. "Kay" Gallagher Award from the American Foundation for the Blind Southwest; and WHEREAS, Throughout his life, John Turner has set an inspiring example of leadership and professional excellence, and his significant efforts in behalf of his fellow citizens are truly deserving of commendation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby honor John M. Turner for his extensive service to those who are visually impaired and for his many other civic contributions and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Turner as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Meyer Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2444 was adopted by the House on May 21, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House