TITLE: Congratulating Bob Townsend on his retirement as mayor of Richardson.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Bob Townsend on his retirement as mayor of Richardson.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, A farsighted leader committed to promoting economic development, the Honorable Bob Townsend is completing his tenure as mayor of Richardson in May 2013; and WHEREAS, Mayor Townsend retired from Texas Instruments in 1997 after a notable 37-year career; he has been on the Richardson City Council since 2001 and was mayor pro tem from 2007 to 2011; and WHEREAS, Elected to his current post in 2011, Mayor Townsend has worked diligently to maintain Richardson's reputation as a business-friendly city; during his tenure, Richardson was recognized as a Gold member in the Texas Comptroller's Leadership Circle Awards for financial transparency, and it earned AAA ratings from both Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investors Service; moreover, the Richardson Economic Development Partnership, a joint effort between the city and the chamber of commerce, earned a Gold Medal Award in the High Performance Economic Development category from the International Economic Development Council for announcing the most jobs and capital created of any city its size in the country; and WHEREAS, Richardson has also been named a Gold-Certified Scenic City by Scenic Texas, and it received a 2012 Working for Clean Air Award from the North Texas Commission; and WHEREAS, Mayor Townsend, who is a native of Oklahoma and holds a master's degree from Southern Methodist University, has also been active in his community as president of the Southwest Richardson Homeowners Association and the Richland Meadows Neighborhood Association; in all of his endeavors, he enjoys the love and support of his wife, Lynn, and his family further includes three children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren; and WHEREAS, Bob Townsend has served the citizens of Richardson with the utmost ability and devotion, and he may indeed reflect with great pride on his many accomplishments; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Bob Townsend on the occasion of his retirement as mayor of Richardson and commend him for his outstanding contributions to the community; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mayor Townsend as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Leach Button Carter Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1376 was adopted by the House on April 24, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House