TITLE: In memory of Amarillo City Council member James Harold Simms.

SUMMARY: In memory of Amarillo City Council member James Harold Simms.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The citizens of Amarillo lost an exemplary public official with the passing of city council member James Harold Simms on November 12, 2014, at the age of 73; and WHEREAS, Born in Amarillo on January 1, 1941, Jim Simms was raised in Clovis, New Mexico, and pursued his college education at Eastern New Mexico University, where he earned degrees in business, finance, and psychology; and WHEREAS, Following graduation, Mr. Simms settled in Amarillo; he operated the Mitchell Electric Company for 28 years before selling the business in 1999, then worked for another 11 years as a vice president of Amarillo National Bank; and WHEREAS, Mr. Simms began his distinguished career in public service in 1982, when he was elected to the board of the Amarillo Independent School District, and he held that office for five years, including a stint as board president; during the 1990s, he was president of the Amarillo Hospital District board of managers; and WHEREAS, In 2005, this respected civic leader was elected as the Place 4 representative on the Amarillo City Commission, and he went on to earn reelection four times, most recently in May 2013, six months before the city commission converted to a council; during his time in city government, he worked tirelessly to benefit his community and played an important role in securing additional water resources and furthering economic development efforts; and WHEREAS, Mr. Simms was active in state government as well, accepting appointments from Governor George W. Bush as executive chair of the board of trustees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas and from Governor Rick Perry to become a member of the State Securities Board; in addition, he was president of Kids Inc. and of the Children's Learning Centers board of directors, and he worked with United Way of Amarillo and Canyon; in recognition of his accomplishments, he was named Man of the Year by the Amarillo Globe-News in 1997; and WHEREAS, A caring husband and father, Mr. Simms shared a rewarding 57-year marriage with his wife, Freeda; they raised three children, Jane, J. Fred, and Lee, and with the passing years, they had the pleasure of seeing their family grow to include six grandchildren; and WHEREAS, A man of great integrity and ability, Jim Simms dedicated himself to serving the city that he loved, and he leaves behind a legacy of generosity and civic engagement that will continue to inspire all those who had the good fortune to know him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby pay tribute to the life of James Harold Simms and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, Freeda Simms; to his children, Jane Simms Gillette and her husband, Greg, J. Fred Simms and his wife, Whitney, and Lee Simms and his wife, Theresa; to his grandchildren, Jacob Gillette and Lila, Benjamin, Luke, Ruby, and Fred Simms; to his brother, Mickey Simms, and his wife, Irene; to his nephews, Gerald Wade Simms, Mitch Simms and his wife, Mychelle, and their sons, Paden and Garret, and Gary Simms and his wife, Amy, and their daughters, Rylee and Haley; and to his other relatives and many friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of James Harold Simms. Smithee President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 86 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 26, 2015. Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 86 was adopted by the Senate on April 7, 2015, by a viva-voce vote. Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: Date Governor