TITLE: Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Fred's Corner Grille in Vernon.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Fred's Corner Grille in Vernon.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Locally owned businesses are vital to the economic well-being of Texas communities, and on April 29, 2011, Fred's Corner Grille is celebrating 50 years of service to the people of Vernon; and WHEREAS, Originally opened as a Dairy Queen franchise by Fred and Loys Ray in 1961, the restaurant was established with a contract of just a few typewritten lines; it was made independent more than 40 years later, and it is now thought to be the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Vernon; and WHEREAS, Fred Ray was a farmer and retail clerk who built bombers at the Boeing factory in Wichita, Kansas, during World War II, and his wife, Loys, was a bookkeeper; the couple ran the restaurant for more than three decades; after hiring Charissa Morrison in 1988, they turned over the day-to-day operations of the business to her in 1992, but remained involved even after their retirement; Mr. Ray passed away in 2001, and the restaurant was later renamed Fred's Corner Grille in his honor; Mrs. Ray, who loved interacting with the restaurant's customers, could still be found working behind the counter until her death in 2009; and WHEREAS, Today, Fred's Corner Grille continues to thrive, thanks to the hard work and dedication of Ms. Morrison and her staff, and half a century after it opened, the restaurant remains a cherished community institution; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of Fred's Corner Grille and extend to all those associated with the restaurant sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Fred's Corner Grille as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Hardcastle Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 984 was adopted by the House on April 7, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House