By: Wentworth S.R. No. 1171 1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-2 In Memory 1-3 of 1-4 John M. Bennett, Jr. 1-5 WHEREAS, The State of Texas lost a valued citizen and 1-6 friend with the death of John M. Bennett, Jr., who passed away 1-7 recently at his family ranch near Victoria, Texas, at the age of 1-8 84; and 1-9 WHEREAS, A nationally known military leader and 1-10 businessman, Mr. Bennett spent his life in the service of his 1-11 country and his state; and 1-12 WHEREAS, The native San Antonian was born on June 26, 1908, 1-13 and attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts; he 1-14 received his college education at Princeton University and 1-15 The University of Texas, where he earned his bachelor of arts 1-16 degree; and 1-17 WHEREAS, John Bennett married Eleanor Freeborn in the 1930s 1-18 and they enjoyed a long and happy life together; he was a loving 1-19 father who provided a warm and nurturing home for his son and 1-20 daughters; and 1-21 WHEREAS, A retired United States Air Force major general, 1-22 John Bennett flew B-17 bombers in the 8th Air Force over Germany 1-23 during World War II and commanded the 100th Bomb Group based in 2-1 England; and 2-2 WHEREAS, General Bennett led the first daylight bombing 2-3 raid over Berlin and was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in 2-4 action; he also was in charge of the raid on the German heavy water 2-5 production facility in Norway that helped slow the German effort to 2-6 build an atomic bomb; and 2-7 WHEREAS, After the war the general returned to San Antonio 2-8 where he was involved in numerous businesses; he was past director 2-9 of the American General and Cordillera corporations; and 2-10 WHEREAS, Deeply interested in the development of the city, 2-11 General Bennett freely gave of his time and abilities to his 2-12 beloved community; he was a former chairman of the board of National 2-13 Bank of Commerce of San Antonio, the Greater San Antonio Chamber of 2-14 Commerce, and the City Public Service; and 2-15 WHEREAS, He served with distinction on the board of 2-16 regents of The University of Texas, as a trustee and treasurer of 2-17 Saint Mary's Hall School, as director and honorary chairman of the 2-18 Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, and as an 2-19 organizer of the San Antonio Medical Foundation; and 2-20 WHEREAS, Deeply involved with the San Antonio Conservation 2-21 Society, he was also a member of the Texas Historical Commission; 2-22 and 2-23 WHEREAS, The author of several books, General Bennett 2-24 wrote an account of his experiences in the 8th Air Force, 2-25 Letters from England, and a history of the National Bank of 3-1 Commerce of San Antonio, Those Who Made It; and 3-2 WHEREAS, He was distinguished among San Antonio citizens 3-3 for his contributions of his time and energy to city government 3-4 and community affairs as well as for his business leadership; and 3-5 WHEREAS, The passing of such a fine Texan is felt not only 3-6 by his family and friends, but also by the people who benefitted 3-7 from his generosity and community spirit and it is appropriate for 3-8 the Texas Senate to honor the memory of this respected individual; 3-9 now, therefore, be it 3-10 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-11 73rd Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the members 3-12 of his family: his son, John S. Bennett; his daughters, 3-13 Eleanor Marlow and Carolyn Wood; his sister, Josephine Musgrave; 3-14 and his 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and, be it 3-15 further 3-16 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 3-17 the members of his family as an expression of the deepest sympathy 3-18 from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, 3-19 it do so in memory of John M. Bennett, Jr. 3-20 _____________________________________ 3-21 President of the Senate 3-22 I hereby certify that the 3-23 above Resolution was adopted by 3-24 the Senate on May 30, 1993, 3-25 by a rising vote. 4-1 _____________________________________ 4-2 Secretary of the Senate 4-3 _____________________________________ 4-4 Member, Texas Senate