TITLE: Congratulating Carolyn Jones on her retirement as mayor of Winnsboro.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Carolyn Jones on her retirement as mayor of Winnsboro.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Honorable Carolyn Jones is retiring as mayor of Winnsboro in May 2013, drawing to a close an exemplary 12-year tenure in office; and WHEREAS, A longtime resident of Winnsboro, Carolyn Jones first developed an interest in local government while attending city council meetings in 1995; she went on to contribute to the area chamber of commerce and, just prior to running for office, helped to found the Winnsboro Center for the Arts; her early civic involvement further included memberships in the Winnsboro Economic Development Corporation, the planning and zoning board, and the Winnsboro Humane Society, for which she played a vital role in raising funds to open a new shelter; and WHEREAS, The longest-serving mayor in the history of Winnsboro, Mrs. Jones won election in 2001, and has since shared her insight on a number of boards while overseeing substantial infrastructure improvements; she recommended having a wastewater plant retrofitted rather than replaced, thereby saving the city $1.5 million, and she oversaw the highly successful sesquicentennial celebration in 2004, as well as Winnsboro's designations as a Main Street City and a Certified Retirement Community; and WHEREAS, Mayor Jones has additionally given of her time as president of Region 15 of the Texas Municipal League, pageant chair of Miss Texas, and a member of the Autumn Trails Board of Directors; recognized for her exceptional efforts, she was voted Woman of the Year in 2001 and as Volunteer of the Year in 2000; and WHEREAS, This dynamic Texan is an alumna of Southern Methodist University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education, prior to pursuing postgraduate studies at Texas A&M University--Commerce; before turning her attention to politics, she enjoyed a career as a teacher and later as an office manager and x-ray technician; she was married to J. D. Jones, owner of the Winnsboro Livestock Sale Barn, for more than 50 years before his passing; and WHEREAS, Carolyn Jones has done much to shape the growth and development of the city of Winnsboro, and she may reflect with pride on the invaluable service that she has rendered; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby congratulate the Honorable Carolyn Jones on her retirement as mayor of Winnsboro and extend to her sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mayor Jones as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Hughes Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 3038 was adopted by the House on May 27, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House