S.R. No. 41
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 In Memory
1-3 of
1-4 Ben Ezzell
1-5 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins with the
1-6 citizens of Canadian and Texans across the state in mourning the
1-7 loss of Ben Ezzell who died January 5, 1993, at the age of 76; and
1-8 WHEREAS, Born in Alvord, Texas, Mr. Ezzell graduated
1-9 from high school in Quitaque in the early 1930s and from
1-10 West Texas State College in 1938; in 1940, he became managing
1-11 editor of the Seminole Daily Producer before joining the
1-12 United States Army Air Corps as an intelligence officer and
1-13 serving in the Philippines under General Douglas MacArthur; and
1-14 WHEREAS, After his discharge, Mr. Ezzell returned to the
1-15 Texas Panhandle, and in 1948, he and his wife, Nancy, became the
1-16 editors and publishers of The Canadian Record, a venture that
1-17 required everything from reporting to typesetting and that would
1-18 become a lifetime career for both of them; and
1-19 WHEREAS, The Canadian Record was a weekly community
1-20 newspaper of relatively small circulation, but Ben Ezzell quickly
1-21 became a giant in the newspaper business due to his incisive
1-22 editorials and his exceptional professional and business skills;
1-23 and
2-1 WHEREAS, Mr. Ezzell and his wife won more than 150 awards
2-2 from the Panhandle Press Association, the Texas Press Association,
2-3 and the National Newspaper Association, and Ben Ezzell gained
2-4 national attention in the 1960s when The Canadian Record and
2-5 a California newspaper were the first in the country to expose the
2-6 philosophy and goals of the John Birch Society; and
2-7 WHEREAS, Mr. Ezzell became a legend in the world of
2-8 journalism and was respected for his fearlessness, tenacity,
2-9 and resolute pursuit of the truth; and
2-10 WHEREAS, A man of uncommon integrity, strength,
2-11 forthrightness, and generosity, Mr. Ezzell was concerned for
2-12 his fellowman, committed to justice, and determined to champion
2-13 high moral principles in journalism and in life; and
2-14 WHEREAS, Respected in the community and throughout the
2-15 state, Ben Ezzell was an exemplary gentleman whose intelligence,
2-16 warmth, wit, and valor will be greatly missed; and
2-17 WHEREAS, A man of high spirits and strong beliefs, Ben Ezzell
2-18 lived his life to the fullest, and he leaves behind memories that
2-19 will be treasured forever by his family and many friends; now,
2-20 therefore, be it
2-21 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-22 73rd Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the
2-23 bereaved family of Ben Ezzell: his wife, Nancy; and his daughter,
2-24 Laurie Brown; and, be it further
2-25 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
3-1 the members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy
3-2 from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day,
3-3 it do so in memory of Ben Ezzell.
3-4 Bivins
3-5 Armbrister Lucio Shapiro
3-6 Barrientos Luna Shelley
3-7 Brown Madla Sibley
3-8 Carriker Moncrief Sims
3-9 Ellis Montford Truan
3-10 Haley Nelson Turner
3-11 Harris of Dallas Parker Wentworth
3-12 Harris of Tarrant Patterson West
3-13 Henderson Ratliff Whitmire
3-14 Leedom Rosson Zaffirini
3-15 Bullock, President of the Senate
3-16 _____________________________________
3-17 President of the Senate
3-18 I hereby certify that the
3-19 above Resolution was adopted by
3-20 the Senate on January 14, 1993,
3-21 by a rising vote.
3-22 _____________________________________
3-23 Secretary of the Senate
3-24 _____________________________________
3-25 Member, Texas Senate