Bill Text: TX HR1210 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: In memory of Randall County Judge Ernie Houdashell of Amarillo.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2021-05-26 - Reported enrolled [HR1210 Detail]
Download: Texas-2021-HR1210-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 1210 | ||
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| WHEREAS, A life dedicated to the service of his nation and his | ||
| community drew to a close with the death of Randall County Judge | ||
| Ernie Houdashell on November 22, 2020, at the age of 74; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Ernie Houdashell was born in Clarendon on November | ||
| 21, 1946, to Ernest and Della Houdashell, and he grew up in Hedley | ||
| with two sisters, Pat and Loveta; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Answering his nation's call to duty, Mr. Houdashell | ||
| enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1966 and served two tours of duty in | ||
| Vietnam with the 191st Assault Helicopter Company as a Huey | ||
| helicopter mechanic, crew chief, and door gunner; in 1968, he | ||
| received the Air Medal for flying more than 25 missions in hostile | ||
| territory within a six-day period, and he was honorably discharged | ||
| in February 1969; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Returning to civilian life, Mr. Houdashell was | ||
| employed by Bell Helicopter for four years, and he also studied | ||
| journalism at Amarillo College and earned a business degree at West | ||
| Texas State University; in 1973, he joined KGNC Radio as an | ||
| agricultural reporter, and he went on to cover agriculture | ||
| nationally with the Radio Farm Directors; in addition, he produced | ||
| a weekly agricultural report for radio stations in four states, the | ||
| American Cotton Network; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In 1985, Mr. Houdashell embarked on a new career in | ||
| politics, serving first as district director for U.S. | ||
| Representative Beau Bolter and then as district director for State | ||
| Representative John Smithee, a position he held until he was | ||
| elected as Randall County judge in 2002; as head of the Randall | ||
| County commissioners court for 18 years, he oversaw the creation of | ||
| a new justice center, a new Amarillo annex, and a new fire station | ||
| and events center, and he also played a leading role in the | ||
| development of the Randall County Veterans Park and the Panhandle | ||
| War Memorial; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Houdashell benefited from | ||
| the love and support of his wife of 50 years, Sandy, and he took | ||
| great pride in his three children, Scott, Clay, and Michele, and his | ||
| six grandchildren, Jordyn, Beck, Alexander, Indeh, Elizabeth, and | ||
| Bridger; and | ||
| WHEREAS, A devoted family man, a proud veteran, and a true | ||
| champion for his community, Ernie Houdashell lived a rich and | ||
| purposeful life, and he leaves behind a legacy of service to others | ||
| that will continue to inspire all those who knew and loved him; now, | ||
| therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Honorable Ernie | ||
| Houdashell and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family 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 adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Ernie | ||
| Houdashell. | ||
| Smithee | ||
| Price | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 1210 was unanimously adopted by a | ||
| rising vote of the House on May 23, 2021. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
