TITLE: Honoring Roderick "Shorty" Mitchell on being named the 2010 Citizen of the Year by the Rotary Club of Taylor.

SUMMARY: Honoring Roderick "Shorty" Mitchell on being named the 2010 Citizen of the Year by the Rotary Club of Taylor.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Roderick Mitchell was named the 2010 Citizen of the Year by the Rotary Club of Taylor at the annual Taylor Chamber of Commerce banquet on January 20, 2011; and WHEREAS, The son of Melvin Mitchell, Sr., and Josephine Cook Mitchell, "Shorty" Mitchell was born in Thorndale and grew up in San Antonio and Dallas; his lifelong love of sports developed at Wilmer-Hutchins High School in Dallas, where he excelled in football, basketball, track, boxing, and baseball, and continued when he transferred to Thorndale High School and led the Bulldogs to a district championship his senior year; and WHEREAS, Mr. Mitchell went on to earn an associate's degree in business management from Ashworth College in Georgia and today serves as the auto glass sales manager at Floyd's Glass Company; and WHEREAS, An active member of his community, he has served as the vice president of the Taylor Jaycees and the Booster Club and as a member of the City of Taylor Parks and Recreation Board and the parks master planning board, where he played a major role in overseeing the design of the Taylor Regional Park and Sports Complex; and WHEREAS, Mr. Mitchell has also been president of the Taylor Pop Warner football and cheerleading programs since 1995 and vice president of the Central Texas Pop Warner Association since 1999; he was named a regional volunteer of the year by the organization in 2004; in addition, he shares his time and talents with the Taylor Independent School District as secretary of the board of trustees, an office he has held for more than five years; and WHEREAS, A man of strong faith, Mr. Mitchell speaks regularly at local churches on youth issues; his desire to see young people excel and to give them the opportunity to develop confidence, self-esteem, and rewarding friendships is evidenced by the extent of his involvement in after-school programs and activities; he is even known to pay registration fees for children out of his own pocket when necessary; and WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Mr. Mitchell enjoys the love and support of his wife of 25 years, LaNell Griffin Mitchell, and together they take great pride in a fine family that includes three children and seven grandchildren; and WHEREAS, Shorty Mitchell's tireless dedication to helping others makes him an inspiring role model, and he is indeed worthy of this important recognition from his community; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby honor Shorty Mitchell on his selection as the 2010 Citizen of the Year by the Rotary Club of Taylor and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Mitchell as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Gonzales of Williamson Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 481 was adopted by the House on March 10, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House