H.R. No. 517
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of J. Wayne Stark on January 18, 1993,
1-2 at the age of 77, has brought great sadness to the many friends and
1-3 relatives of this distinguished administrator and esteemed citizen
1-4 of College Station; and
1-5 WHEREAS, The director of the Memorial Student Center (MSC) at
1-6 Texas A&M University for 33 years, Mr. Stark provided exceptional
1-7 leadership to the popular student union and was instrumental in
1-8 developing a score of successful and innovative student-run
1-9 programs that brought numerous internationally renowned performers
1-10 and world leaders to the campus; and
1-11 WHEREAS, Under his assured guidance, a number of worthwhile
1-12 campus organizations were launched, including the Opera and
1-13 Performing Arts Society, the Student Conference on National
1-14 Affairs, and the Great Issues and Political Forum programs;
1-15 providing many significant and rewarding leadership opportunities
1-16 for students, the MSC is recognized as having the largest student
1-17 activities program of its kind in the world; and
1-18 WHEREAS, During his long and accomplished tenure, Mr. Stark
1-19 also was the university's sponsor for the successful Experiment in
1-20 International Living program that, along with related programs, has
1-21 enabled hundreds of A&M students to travel and live overseas; and
1-22 WHEREAS, Retiring from his post as director of the MSC in
1-23 1980, Mr. Stark continued to serve the university with distinction
1-24 for a decade as a special assistant to the president; and
2-1 WHEREAS, A highly regarded administrator, Mr. Stark earned
2-2 the profound respect and admiration of his colleagues and countless
2-3 A&M students throughout his extraordinary career; many of these
2-4 students have gone on to achieve notable success as professionals,
2-5 and a number, including Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
2-6 Henry Cisneros, have named Mr. Stark as an important influence in
2-7 their lives--an especially meaningful tribute to this remarkable
2-8 man's work; and
2-9 WHEREAS, A native of West Texas, Mr. Stark was graduated from
2-10 high school in the small town of Winters before heading east to
2-11 Texas A&M University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in
2-12 history in 1939; and
2-13 WHEREAS, After graduation, he attended The University of
2-14 Texas Law School, but withdrew during World War II to serve his
2-15 country in the European Theater; following the war, he returned to
2-16 A&M, joining the university in 1947 to oversee the construction of
2-17 the MSC, where he would focus his considerable energy and talent
2-18 for most of his career; and
2-19 WHEREAS, Active in numerous arts and civic activities locally
2-20 and statewide, Mr. Stark was a former president of the Association
2-21 of College Unions-International and a longtime member of the
2-22 Kiwanis Club of College Station; his many contributions to the arts
2-23 and education were recognized with his receipt of a number of
2-24 well-deserved awards from the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley and
2-25 A&M's Association of Former Students; and
2-26 WHEREAS, A man of deep faith and a devoted patriot, Mr. Stark
2-27 was a cherished member of the A&M United Methodist Church and a
3-1 retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve; and
3-2 WHEREAS, Throughout his long and fulfilling life, J. Wayne
3-3 Stark benefitted the lives of generations of A&M students as a
3-4 trusted mentor and friend and made many positive and lasting
3-5 contributions to the university, the community, and our state;
3-6 though he is gone from us now, his memory will continue to serve as
3-7 an inspiration to all those who were privileged to know him; now,
3-8 therefore, be it
3-9 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
3-10 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of J. Wayne Stark and
3-11 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his
3-12 beloved wife, Jean; to his son, John; to his daughter, Sally; to
3-13 his grandson, Drew McGehee; and to the other members of his family;
3-14 and, be it further
3-15 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-16 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-17 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-18 J. Wayne Stark.
3-19 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-20 J. Wayne Stark.
3-21 Kubiak
3-22 H.R. No. 517
3-23 _______________________________
3-24 Speaker of the House
3-25 I certify that H.R. No. 517 was unanimously adopted by a
3-26 rising vote of the House on April 23, 1993.
3-27 _______________________________
4-1 Chief Clerk of the House