TITLE: Congratulating Gordon Echtenkamp on his retirement from the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Gordon Echtenkamp on his retirement from the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Gordon Echtenkamp has retired from his role as president and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas after four decades of outstanding service to the YMCA organization; and WHEREAS, A native of Fremont, Nebraska, Gordon Echtenkamp spent countless childhood hours at the local YMCA, where he went on to become a youth club leader in his teens; in 1976, he began his professional career with the organization, and over the next 26 years, he worked at YMCA locations in Kansas City, Memphis, Houston, Phoenix, and Des Moines; and WHEREAS, Mr. Echtenkamp joined the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas as its president and CEO in January 2002; over the course of his distinguished tenure, the organization served more than 300,000 residents of the greater Dallas area, with 4,500 children participating each day in its after-school and camp programs; under Mr. Echtenkamp's leadership, the organization's fund-raising efforts generated more than $110 million, in addition to capital development initiatives totaling $80 million in contributions for new YMCA facilities and updates to existing locations across North Texas; in recognition of his invaluable contributions, Mr. Echtenkamp has been named president emeritus of the Dallas Y; and WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan has further invested his time and talents as chair of the Character Coalition of North Texas, the Texas Alliance of YMCAs, the YMCA Employee Benefits Plan, and the YMCA North American Network, and as a member of the Association of YMCA Professionals and the United Way Campaign Cabinet; and WHEREAS, Widely admired by his peers, colleagues, and the community at large, Gordon Echtenkamp has greatly advanced the mission of the YMCA, and his efforts have indeed contributed to the well-being of residents across North Texas; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Gordon Echtenkamp on his retirement from the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Echtenkamp as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Villalba Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 402 was adopted by the House on February 15, 2017, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House