SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 420

In Memory

of

William C. Powers Jr.

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and commemorates the life of William C. Powers Jr., who died March 10, 2019, at the age of 72; and

WHEREAS, Bill Powers was an exemplary citizen and a distinguished scholar, and his admirable leadership at The University of Texas at Austin had a positive and lasting impact on its status as a university of the first class; and

WHEREAS, Born on May 30, 1946, Bill Powers grew up in modest circumstances in Los Angeles, California; he earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, and he went on to earn a law degree from Harvard University; and

WHEREAS, He and his beloved wife, Kim Heilbrun, enjoyed 36 years of marriage together; his children, Matt, Kate, Allison, Annie, and Reid, and his six grandchildren were a source of much pride and joy for him; and

WHEREAS, After serving the nation in the United States Navy, he moved to Austin in 1977 to become a visiting professor at The University of Texas School of Law; he quickly became known for his legal and philosophical expertise, and the law school became his intellectual home for more than four decades; he was named dean of the law school in 2000, and he rose to the position of university president in 2006; when he stepped down in 2015 to return to the law school, he was the second-longest-serving president in the university's history; and

WHEREAS, Under his outstanding leadership, the university revamped its undergraduate curriculum and completed an eight-year fund-raising campaign that raised $3.1 billion; he was instrumental in the launch of the Longhorn Network and in laying the groundwork for the establishment of the Dell Medical School; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure as president, he was a fierce advocate on behalf of the school's faculty and students, and he was an eloquent defender of the study of the humanities, as well as a strong proponent of scientific and engineering research; he was an avid fan of Longhorn athletics and was often seen congratulating players on the sidelines and applauding their successes; and

WHEREAS, Bill Powers was a man of immense intellect and wide-ranging esoteric interests, yet he had an ability to relate to people from all walks of life; he was treasured for both his affable demeanor and his exceptional achievements in the academic world, and he was beloved and respected by all who were privileged to share in his life; and

WHEREAS, He was a deeply devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be cherished forever by his family and countless friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of William C. Powers Jr.; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Bill Powers.

Watson

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 18, 2019, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate