SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 11

In Memory

of

Eddie Baker Freeman Jr.

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and commemorates the life of Eddie Baker Freeman Jr., who died on May 17, 2023, at the age of 67; and

WHEREAS, Eddie Freeman Jr. was born on December 3, 1955, in Austin; he attended Anderson High School in East Austin until it was closed in 1971 to further desegregation, and he graduated from Reagan High School in 1974; Eddie went on to attend The University of Texas at Austin, where he joined the Eta Theta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and met his future wife, Zelda Choice; and

WHEREAS, Eddie moved to Dallas with his fiancée in 1980 and earned a bachelor's degree in business and a master's degree in business administration from Dallas Baptist University, where he became a member of the Omicron Gamma Gamma Graduate Chapter of Omega Psi Phi and forged lifelong connections with his fraternity brothers; and

WHEREAS, Passionate about social justice and committed to the pursuit of equality, Eddie served as the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at The University of Texas at Arlington; he also served as the executive director of equal opportunity services and as president of the African American Faculty and Staff Association, and he made great strides in fostering a sense of pride and belonging among the university's students, staff, and faculty members; and

WHEREAS, Eddie was a member of the Sports Corporation for the City of Grand Prairie; he promoted athletic excellence and a spirit of camaraderie within the community, and he enjoyed cheering for his favorite teams, the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers, and the Dallas Mavericks; and

WHEREAS, A man of spiritual depth and devotion, Eddie was a member of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship for 43 years; he contributed to the fellowship's Christian education ministry and served as an elder for more than three decades; and

WHEREAS, Eddie was a caring husband to his wife of 42 years, Zelda Choice Freeman, and a loving father to their three children, Kathryn Freeman, Eddie Freeman, and Candace Freeman Memphis, who were a source of great pride and joy to him; and

WHEREAS, An advocate for inclusive representation and the equality and civil rights of all people, Eddie was an inspiration to all who knew him, and his memory will be forever treasured by his many loved ones and by all who were privileged to share in his life; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Eddie Baker Freeman 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 Eddie Freeman Jr.

West

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on June 30, 2023, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate