TITLE: Congratulating John Hince of Bryan on his election as state commander of the American Legion, Department of Texas.

SUMMARY: Congratulating John Hince of Bryan on his election as state commander of the American Legion, Department of Texas.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, John Hince of Bryan was elected as state commander of the American Legion for 2017-2018 at the 99th annual convention of the Legion's Department of Texas, which took place in Killeen on July 16, 2017; and WHEREAS, A native of Pennsylvania, John Hince earned a bachelor's degree as a distinguished military graduate of the Virginia Military Institute in 1968, and he entered active duty with the U.S. Army in June 1969; after completing the Infantry Officers Basic Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, he received further training at Fort Stewart, Georgia, and Fort Rucker, Alabama; he served a tour of duty in Vietnam from August 1970 to August 1971; and WHEREAS, Returning stateside, Mr. Hince attended the Intelligence Officers Basic Course at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and then served as executive officer of the Interrogation and Document Analysis Company of the 519th Intelligence Battalion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; he received an honorable discharge in 1973 and embarked on a successful three-decade career in education, working as a teacher and administrator; and WHEREAS, In 1994, Mr. Hince joined the American Legion as a member of Post 364 in Woodbridge, Virginia; after retiring to Bryan in 2005, he joined Earl Graham Post 159, where he has served as chaplain, adjutant, and first vice commander and twice as commander; from 2012 to 2014, he was 6th District commander, and from 2014 to 2015, he was 2nd Division commander; he has also served on the 100th Anniversary, Long Range Planning, Finance and Budget, Resolution, and National Convention Delegation Committees, and he has been a member of the Post 159 board of trustees and the Post Honor Guard; and WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Hince enjoys the active support of his wife, Gerry, a 31-year army veteran who retired at the rank of colonel; together, they raised three sons, the late John Hince Jr., Captain Matthew Hince of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, and Captain Peter Hince of the U.S. Air Force; both Matthew and Peter are members of Post 159; and WHEREAS, For more than two decades, John Hince has played a prominent role in the American Legion, earning the respect and admiration of his fellow members for his leadership and dedication, and he may indeed reflect with pride on his many achievements as he takes on the challenges and opportunities of his new statewide position; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby congratulate John Hince on his election as state commander of the American Legion, Department of Texas, and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success in his important work; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Hince as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Kacal Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 420 was adopted by the House on August 15, 2017, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House