TITLE: In memory of Tom Reid.

SUMMARY: In memory of Tom Reid.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The city of Pearland lost a greatly admired civic leader with the passing of Mayor Emeritus Tom Reid on June 24, 2023, at the age of 97; and WHEREAS, Born in Houston in 1925, Tom Reid was the son of Thomas Joel and Hazel Nichols Reid; after proudly serving his country as a member of the United States Navy during World War II, he earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from The University of Texas in 1951, and as a student there, he held membership in the Texas Cowboys and Chi Phi Fraternity; and WHEREAS, In 1965, Mr. Reid moved to Pearland, where he enjoyed a 32-year career as a contractor for NASA's Johnson Space Center; over the course of his tenure with NASA, he was responsible for overseeing and managing the budgets for the Gemini, Apollo, Apollo-Soyuz, Skylab, and Space Shuttle programs; and WHEREAS, Mr. Reid served Pearland as mayor from 1978 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 2020, and his long tenure coincided with a number of major developments, including the expansion of the city's western border and improvements to its public safety services and parks and trails systems; during that time, Pearland also experienced a significant increase in new businesses and large residential properties that contributed to its economic growth; and WHEREAS, Mayor Reid's active involvement in the community further included service as a city planning commissioner and as chair of the Pearland Library board and Brazoria Drainage District No. 4; an Eagle Scout, he also contributed to the Boy Scouts organization as a scoutmaster and Scout Troop Committee chair, and he volunteered his time in behalf of Pearland ISD, the Pearland Historical Society, the Pearland Arts League, the C. F. Spencer Masonic Lodge No. 1384, and other organizations; he was the first citizen to be awarded the title of mayor emeritus, and his outstanding record of service was further recognized with the naming of a U.S. Post Office in his honor; and WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Reid enjoyed the love and support of a fine family that included his two children, Trisha and Carl, and his granddaughter, Nikki; and WHEREAS, The life of Tom Reid stands as an inspiring example of the good that one person can accomplish, and he leaves behind a legacy that will resonate in the Pearland community for many years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Mayor Emeritus Tom Reid and extend sincere sympathy to all those who mourn his passing; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Tom Reid. Middleton President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on June 30, 2023, by a rising vote.