By Patterson                                          H.C.R. No. 72
       74R4761 SAJ-D
                                 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, The passing of W. M. "Pete" Rodes on November 25,
    1-2  1994, at the age of 89, has brought a great loss to the many
    1-3  friends and relatives of this distinguished Texas businessman and
    1-4  civic leader; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, A native of Emory, Mr. Rodes began a rewarding
    1-6  53-year career as a banker in 1927 when he went to work for North
    1-7  Texas National Bank in Dallas; he continued as an employee of
    1-8  Republic National Bank when the two institutions merged in the
    1-9  1930s; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, He returned to his hometown in 1939 and, at the
   1-11  request of his father, took over the management of First National
   1-12  Bank there; well regarded for his professionalism, expertise, and
   1-13  dedication, he served with distinction as the bank's president for
   1-14  many years until his retirement in 1980; and
   1-15        WHEREAS, Mr. Rodes continued to make many significant
   1-16  contributions to the Rains County community through his exemplary
   1-17  civic involvement, using money from his bank to purchase Emory's
   1-18  first fire truck and to establish a cemetery and a homeless
   1-19  shelter; and
   1-20        WHEREAS, A man of great vision, he was dedicated to the cause
   1-21  of social justice and was instrumental in the integration of Rains
   1-22  County and the local school system; as a devout member of Emory
   1-23  United Methodist Church, he was deeply committed to the belief that
   1-24  religion should be expressed through service to the community; and
    2-1        WHEREAS, He also was active in political circles, where he
    2-2  offered valuable insight as a delegate to several national
    2-3  Democratic conventions and as an esteemed member of the
    2-4  presidential Electoral College in 1964; and
    2-5        WHEREAS, Mr. Rodes was a man of great integrity who devoted
    2-6  much of his life to the betterment of his community, and though his
    2-7  presence will be deeply missed, his unique spirit will surely live
    2-8  on in the hearts and minds of the many people whose lives he
    2-9  touched; now, therefore, be it
   2-10        RESOLVED, That the 74th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute
   2-11  to the life of W. M. "Pete" Rodes and extend sincere sympathy to
   2-12  the members of his family: to his beloved wife, Lillian Whittington
   2-13  Rodes; to his son, David Stuart Rodes, of Los Angeles, California;
   2-14  to his daughter, Judith Rodes Johnson, of Brussels, Belgium; and to
   2-15  his many other friends and relatives; and, be it further
   2-16        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-17  prepared for the members of his family, and that when the Texas
   2-18  House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in
   2-19  memory of W. M. "Pete" Rodes.