SR299 - Congratulating Mackie Bounds, Kevin Camarata, Dennis Knautz, and Mel Oller on their induction in the Texas Masonry Hall of Fame.

          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 299          WHEREAS, The Texas Masonry Hall of Fame is inducting Mackie   Bounds, Kevin Camarata, Dennis Knautz, and Mel Oller on March 20,   2025, in a ceremony conducted at the Alamo in San Antonio; and            WHEREAS, A towering figure in Texas commercial masonry for   more than four decades, Mackie Bounds joined Al Brown Masonry in   1980; he went on to shape the industry as a founding member and   president of the Central Texas Masonry Contractors Association;   in addition, he has served as president of the Texas Construction   Association, Mason Contractors Association of America, and Texas   Masonry Council; he has been a tireless, visionary advocate for   masonry and oversaw the creation of the Masonry Rocks workforce   development program, which has introduced thousands of high   school students to the trade; and            WHEREAS, Kevin Camarata has advanced Texas masonry over   the course of four decades; as CEO of Camarata Masonry Systems,   he built one of the nation's largest firms, which has redrawn   Houston's skyline with such iconic projects as Enron Field and   Rice University; he served as president of the board of TMC and   authored key bylaws and fostered supplier engagement;   recognizing the importance of workforce development, he   championed training programs through Construction Career   Collaborative; he also guided industry best practices through   involvement with MCAA and the Associated Masonry Contractors of   Houston; and            WHEREAS, A pioneering architect of today's TMC, Dennis   Knautz changed the industry's landscape through his steadfast   commitment to corporate responsibility; during a career with   Acme Brick spanning over four decades, he helped orchestrate the   merger of TMC and the Southwest Brick Institute, resulting in a   strong funding framework for statewide growth and advocacy;   moreover, he has encouraged leadership from major manufacturers,   championed masonry ordinances, and guided organizations through   challenging times; and            WHEREAS, Mel Oller has strengthened professional   associations through careful financial stewardship and steadfast   devotion; he has served twice as TMC president, and he is a former   president of the Associated Masonry Contractors of Houston as   well; through national ASTM committees, he has been a powerful   voice for fair codes; a trained union bricklayer turned   estimator, he revived vital cost guides, and he has worked to   preserve industry history; in addition, he has mentored and   taught countless younger masons; and            WHEREAS, Generously sharing their time and expertise,   these inductees have elevated the masonry construction industry   across the Lone Star State, and in so doing, they have inspired   others to uphold a tradition of excellence and innovation; now,   therefore, be it            RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th   Legislature, hereby congratulate Mackie Bounds, Kevin Camarata,   Dennis  Knautz, and Mel Oller  on their  induction  in the Texas   Masonry Hall of Fame and extend to them sincere best wishes for   the future; and, be it further            RESOLVED, That official copies of this Resolution be   prepared for the inductees as an expression of high regard from   the Texas Senate.     Campbell                 ________________________________          President of the Senate               I hereby certify that the     above Resolution was adopted by     the Senate on March 24, 2025.                 ________________________________          Secretary of the Senate                 ________________________________           Member, Texas Senate