H.R. No. 76
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor
1-2 the First State Bank of Smithville for 85 years of outstanding
1-3 service to the people of Smithville and the surrounding vicinity;
1-4 and
1-5 WHEREAS, The bank's predecessor, the Bank of Smithville, was
1-6 founded by local merchant John C. Yerger, his son-in-law John W.
1-7 Hill, and his grandson Yerger Hill, and was established as a
1-8 privately owned institution more than 100 years ago in the front of
1-9 the family's hardware store; and
1-10 WHEREAS, Under the wise leadership of its founders, the bank
1-11 flourished and prospered and in 1902 entered into a partnership,
1-12 inviting other business leaders in the community to become
1-13 investors; and
1-14 WHEREAS, The enterprise was incorporated in 1907 with 13
1-15 shareholders officially establishing the First State Bank as one of
1-16 the first banks to receive a state charter from the Texas
1-17 Legislature; and
1-18 WHEREAS, Throughout its ensuing history, the First State Bank
1-19 has demonstrated a lasting commitment to the prosperity and civic
1-20 health of the local community; and
1-21 WHEREAS, During the Great Depression in the 1930s, the bank
1-22 assumed the deposits of the failed First National Bank of
1-23 Smithville, paying off depositors who otherwise would have been
1-24 subject to loss; and
2-1 WHEREAS, In addition, when a school finance bill was not
2-2 enacted by the legislature in time to pay local teachers' salaries,
2-3 the bank generously provided funds until state funding was
2-4 approved; and
2-5 WHEREAS, An active supporter of many civic events, it
2-6 provided substantial funding to the Smithville Hospital bond issue
2-7 and played a vital role in the acquisition of Riverbend Park and
2-8 the FFA Booster Club Show Barn as well; and
2-9 WHEREAS, The bank also has made annual donations to several
2-10 worthy community organizations, including the Special Olympics,
2-11 Blue Santa, the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department, the
2-12 Smithville Public Library, and the Railroad Historical Park; and
2-13 WHEREAS, Over its proud and successful lifetime, the First
2-14 State Bank has proven itself a strong and stable financial
2-15 institution and today has more than 75 shareholders and assets of
2-16 more than $25 million; and
2-17 WHEREAS, With 15 staff members and a board of directors
2-18 including Yerger Hill III, Betty Hemphill, Lawrence Skelley,
2-19 Vastine Buescher, Ken Blaschke, Marvin Ivy, Carroll Rabel, and Brad
2-20 Hurta, the bank remains an integral part of the Smithville
2-21 community; and
2-22 WHEREAS, For 85 years the First State Bank has maintained a
2-23 vital role in the Smithville community and has actively worked to
2-24 improve the quality of life for the citizens of this state; now,
2-25 therefore, be it
2-26 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
2-27 Legislature hereby honor the First State Bank of Smithville on the
3-1 occasion of its 85th anniversary and commend its board members and
3-2 staff for their many years of dedicated service to the people of
3-3 Texas; and, be it further
3-4 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-5 prepared for the members of the board as an expression of high
3-6 regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
3-7 prepared for the members of the board as an expression of high
3-8 regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
3-9 Saunders
3-10 H.R. No. 76
3-11 _______________________________
3-12 Speaker of the House
3-13 I certify that H.R. No. 76 was adopted by the House on March
3-14 11, 1993, by a non-record vote.
3-15 _______________________________
3-16 Chief Clerk of the House