By: Montford S.C.R. No. 9 73R3072 SRD-D CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The Honorable Lloyd Bentsen has dedicated much of 1-2 his life to serving the people of Texas and has long been regarded 1-3 as an experienced and knowledgeable leader among the residents of 1-4 his home state; and 1-5 WHEREAS, This distinguished former United States senator now 1-6 has been nationally recognized for his expertise and leadership 1-7 ability by President Bill Clinton, who has selected Mr. Bentsen to 1-8 serve in his cabinet as secretary of the treasury, thus bringing 1-9 additional acclaim to this outstanding public servant and great 1-10 pride to the citizens of the Lone Star State; and 1-11 WHEREAS, A native of Mission, Mr. Bentsen received his law 1-12 degree from The University of Texas School of Law in 1942 before 1-13 enlisting in the United States Army; and 1-14 WHEREAS, In answering his country's call to arms, this 1-15 patriotic soldier undertook the difficult and dangerous duty of 1-16 piloting a B-24 Liberator in World War II; after distinguishing 1-17 himself in many combat missions over Europe, he was promoted to the 1-18 rank of major and served as a squadron commander, earning the 1-19 prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three 1-20 oak leaf clusters; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Following his tour of active duty, Mr. Bentsen 1-22 continued to serve his nation in the Air Force Reserve and 1-23 eventually was promoted to the rank of colonel; after the war, he 1-24 returned to the Rio Grande Valley and served his neighbors for the 2-1 next eight years, first as Hidalgo County judge and then as their 2-2 elected representative in the United States Congress; and 2-3 WHEREAS, This respected legislator retired from the United 2-4 States House of Representatives in 1954 after serving three 2-5 consecutive terms and entered into a successful business career in 2-6 Houston, but in 1970, he again responded to the will of the voters, 2-7 successfully running for office and returning to Washington, D.C., 2-8 as a United States senator; and 2-9 WHEREAS, He quickly gained the respect and admiration of his 2-10 peers in the Capitol for his legislative insight and experience, as 2-11 well as for his keen understanding of finance and economics; his 2-12 leadership and negotiation skills made him a valued member of both 2-13 the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and the 2-14 Joint Economic Committee, and he also served as chairman of the 2-15 powerful Senate Finance Committee and as vice-chairman of the Joint 2-16 Committee on Taxation; and 2-17 WHEREAS, This esteemed statesman gained further national 2-18 recognition in 1988, when he ran as the Democratic Party nominee 2-19 for vice-president of the United States, and many knowledgeable 2-20 political observers then realized that it would be only a matter of 2-21 time before this brilliant public servant would be called away from 2-22 Texas to serve the greater needs of the country; and 2-23 WHEREAS, Throughout Mr. Bentsen's distinguished career, he 2-24 has been fortunate to enjoy the love and support of his charming 2-25 and gracious wife, Beryl Ann, known affectionately as B. A., who 2-26 has remained by his side throughout the many years of change the 2-27 couple has experienced; and 3-1 WHEREAS, While the people of this state and the members of 3-2 these chambers are proud to see such a noble Texan advance to a 3-3 position where he can greatly serve our nation, we also note 3-4 Mr. Bentsen's ascendance to the president's cabinet with a 3-5 corresponding measure of sadness; a man of his integrity, wisdom, 3-6 and commitment to public service is rare indeed, and while 3-7 President Clinton has gained an exceptional advisor, the people of 3-8 Texas will miss their trusted and loyal friend; now, therefore, be 3-9 it 3-10 RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas 3-11 hereby commend the Honorable Lloyd Bentsen for his many years of 3-12 outstanding service to the people of his home state and extend 3-13 heartfelt congratulations to him on his unanimous confirmation as 3-14 secretary of the United States Treasury; and, be it further 3-15 RESOLVED, That an invitation be extended to Mr. Bentsen to 3-16 address a joint session of the 73rd Legislature of the State of 3-17 Texas on a date in February or another date that is agreeable to 3-18 him; and, be it further 3-19 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-20 prepared for Mr. Bentsen as an official invitation from the 73rd 3-21 Legislature of the State of Texas.