By:  Hunter, B.                                        H.R. No. 348
       73R5952 LBD-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The recent passing of Robert E. Kennedy on February
    1-2  15, 1993, at the age of 79, is a great loss to the many friends,
    1-3  relatives, and colleagues of this distinguished Texas businessman
    1-4  and community leader; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, With his family roots firmly planted in Abilene
    1-6  soil, Mr. Kennedy shared a timeless bond with this West Texas
    1-7  community; in fact, his great-grandfather, J. V. Cunningham, served
    1-8  as sheriff for 25 years during the earliest days of the town's
    1-9  history; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, From humble beginnings, Mr. Kennedy made a name for
   1-11  himself in Abilene's business arena; while pursuing a degree at
   1-12  Simmons University, he accepted a position as a part-time mail
   1-13  clerk with West Texas Utilities Company in 1933 and, over 40 years
   1-14  later, he retired from the company as its chairman and chief
   1-15  executive officer; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, With the military beckoning in the mid-1940s,
   1-17  Mr. Kennedy left the familiarity of his civilian position to answer
   1-18  his country's call; after officer training at Camp Barkeley, he was
   1-19  commissioned as a second lieutenant in the medical corps and served
   1-20  for a time as a public relations officer at San Antonio's Brooke
   1-21  Army Medical Center during a devastating polio epidemic; and
   1-22        WHEREAS, Mr. Kennedy married the former Elizabeth Faucett and
   1-23  enjoyed a rewarding marriage until her death in 1974; together they
   1-24  raised a lovely daughter, Lenda; Mr. Kennedy later remarried, and
    2-1  shared many years of happiness and companionship with his beloved
    2-2  wife, the former Margaret Wheeler; and
    2-3        WHEREAS, Mr. Kennedy was an integral part of many positive
    2-4  programs in his community, faithfully working behind the scenes to
    2-5  make them successful; he derived a great deal of personal
    2-6  satisfaction from his active involvement in such organizations as
    2-7  the American Red Cross, United Way of Abilene, the Abilene Public
    2-8  Library, the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, the YWCA, the West Texas
    2-9  Rehabilitation Center, and the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly
   2-10  Rest, where he was a member; and
   2-11        WHEREAS, Mr. Kennedy loved Abilene and was dedicated to the
   2-12  well-being of his friends and neighbors; though his fellowship will
   2-13  be greatly missed, the many pleasant memories he leaves behind in
   2-14  the hearts of his loved ones will comfort and inspire them as they
   2-15  fondly recall his vigorous spirit and zest for life; now,
   2-16  therefore, be it
   2-17        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
   2-18  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Robert E. Kennedy and
   2-19  extend heartfelt sympathy to the members of his family:  to his
   2-20  wife, Margaret "Peg" Kennedy of Abilene; to his daughter, Lenda
   2-21  Delk of Houston; to his four stepchildren, John Gregory Wheeler of
   2-22  El Paso, Roger Michael Wheeler of Abilene, Susan Wheeler Johnson of
   2-23  New Orleans, and Gay Wheeler Schuster of Zurich, Switzerland; to
   2-24  his grandchildren, Joanne Delk and Karen Delk of Houston, Maya
   2-25  Schuster, Susanna Schuster, and Anja Gunthardt of Zurich,
   2-26  Switzerland, Jackson Wheeler of El Paso, and Margaret and Hanagan
   2-27  Johnson of New Orleans; and to the many other relatives and friends
    3-1  of this honorable gentleman; and, be it further
    3-2        RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared
    3-3  for the members of his family and that when the Texas House of
    3-4  Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Robert E.
    3-5  Kennedy.