TITLE: Congratulating Wise County Judge J. D. Clark on his election as president of the National Association of Counties.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Wise County Judge J. D. Clark on his election as president of the National Association of Counties.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, the Honorable Wise County Judge J.D. Clark has been duly elected as President of the National Association of Counties (NACo), bringing great honor to his community and the State of Texas; and WHEREAS, Judge Clark was sworn in as NACo President on July 14, 2025, during the association's annual conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was joined by his wife, Leah, twin daughters, Zelda and Maggie, and eldest daughter, Claire, who administered the oath of office; and WHEREAS, Judge Clark now leads an organization, representing more than 3,000 counties, parishes, and boroughs across the United States, dedicated to preserving and protecting the interests of America's counties and will chair board meetings, appoint committee members, and serve as NACo's chief spokesperson and public representative; and WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of Wise County, Judge Clark has served as County Judge since 2014, following his tenure as mayor of Chico, Texas and as a high school teacher, all demonstrating a steadfast commitment to public service and community leadership; and WHEREAS, Under his leadership, Wise County has balanced preservation and progress, notably through the restoration of the historic 1896 courthouse and preserving local history, reflecting his motto of "honoring the past and building the future"; and WHEREAS, Judge Clark's presidential spotlight, "County Storytellers," highlights his dedication to showcasing county best practices, further elevating the role of local government in shaping a stronger America; and WHEREAS, Judge Clark, also a talented singer and songwriter, showcased his presidential initiative, "county storytelling", in his inaugural address and through his song "County Line", highlighting his dedication to county best practices, further elevating the role of local government in shaping a stronger America; and WHEREAS, His ascension to NACo President, after serving as Second Vice President in 2023 and First Vice President in 2024, underscores his decade-long involvement with NACo, including leadership roles such as Chair of the Rural Action Caucus and Co-Chair of the Broadband Task Force, bringing valuable perspective to national county governance; and WHEREAS, Judge Clark's election to this prestigious position not only honors his exemplary service but also amplifies the voice of Texas counties on the national stage, inspiring pride among his constituents and colleagues; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby congratulates the Honorable J.D. Clark on his election as President of the National Association of Counties and extends to him sincere best wishes for continued success in his esteemed role; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Judge J.D. Clark as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.