TITLE: Honoring Ernie Madsen for his nearly eight decades of service to Rotary International.

SUMMARY: Honoring Ernie Madsen for his nearly eight decades of service to Rotary International.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Ernie Madsen of Mission, who at age 99 is thought to be the oldest active Rotarian in Texas, was honored in a special ceremony on May 12, 2011; and WHEREAS, A member of Rotary International for nearly eight decades, Mr. Madsen first joined the group in 1932; he has been named a Paul Harris Fellow for his support of the organization and its initiatives; and WHEREAS, Born on November 22, 1911, Ernie Madsen moved to Mission with his family in 1919 after previously living in Minnesota; his father had come to the United States from Denmark in 1904, and the Madsens arrived in Texas with two other immigrant families; an accomplished football and track athlete in high school, Mr. Madsen later enrolled at The University of Texas at Austin and played football on the freshman team under Coach Shorty Anderson; he was also trained as a gymnast; and WHEREAS, Mr. Madsen's remarkable life has included challenges as well as achievements; while on a construction job in Laredo in the early 1940s, he fell more than 30 feet onto concrete, breaking both wrists and both legs but escaping more serious injury thanks to his gymnastics skills; he also worked at the Hanford Site in Washington State, which played an important role in the construction of the country's early atomic weapons, and he was employed in the dairy business until 1962; he then took a job with a pipe supply company, remaining there for 28 years; and WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Mr. Madsen has enjoyed the love and support of his wife, Kathleen, with whom he shared many years of rewarding partnership until her passing in 2001, and his son, John; and WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan is a source of wisdom and inspiration to all who are privileged to know him, and it is a pleasure to recognize him for his longtime contributions to Rotary International and for almost a century of life well lived; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby honor Ernie Madsen for his many years of service to Rotary International and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Madsen as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Gonzales of Hidalgo Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 55 was adopted by the House on June 28, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House