TITLE: Recognizing the Sames Auto Group on the occasion of its 115th anniversary.

SUMMARY: Recognizing the Sames Auto Group on the occasion of its 115th anniversary.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the Sames Auto Group on the grand occasion of its 115th anniversary; and WHEREAS, Established in 1910 as a division of the Sames and Moore Company, a Laredo commodity brokerage co-owned by W. J. Sames, the Sames Auto Group first operated as Laredo Auto Sales and sold vehicles from the Ford Motor Company; the business succeeded as the first to sell automobiles in Laredo and became the Sames Motor Company in 1925 under the guidance of W. J. Sames; and WHEREAS, The company endured the hardships of the Great Depression and World War II but flourished due to the diligent stewardship of five generations of Sames family members over the past century; the company has grown remarkably under Harry "Hank" Sames III, who became general manager in 1981, and in 2010, Evelyn Sames, W. J.'s great-great-granddaughter, took over operations as the first woman to helm the company; and WHEREAS, The Sames Auto Group has enjoyed a long era of exceptional growth that began in the 1980s, and it now includes 21 rooftops representing 11 different automotive franchise brands in Laredo, Corpus Christi, McAllen, Bastrop, and Harlingen; and WHEREAS, The Sames Auto Group in Laredo is the oldest automobile dealership in Texas and one of the oldest in the nation; the Sames family is proud to uphold a longstanding legacy of service, local philanthropy, and charitable giving, and all associated with the auto group are indeed deserving of special recognition for their contributions to the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commend the Sames family and the dedicated employees of the Sames Auto Group on 115 years of success and extend to them best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the business as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. Zaffirini President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on August 15, 2025.