By Lewis of Orange H.R. No. 208
74R5856 SAJ-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Anna Jean Caffey on February 2, 1995,
1-2 at the age of 64, has brought a great loss to the West Orange
1-3 community for, through her service as a dedicated civic leader, she
1-4 worked tirelessly toward the betterment of her community and
1-5 touched the lives of countless Southeast Texans; and
1-6 WHEREAS, Mrs. Caffey was a longtime resident of the Orange
1-7 metropolitan area who distinguished herself as the first and only
1-8 woman to sit on the West Orange City Council with her election to
1-9 the post in 1986; most recently, she had been elected by her peers
1-10 to serve as the community's mayor pro-tem, and her selection is
1-11 indicative of the esteem in which she was held by the other members
1-12 of the council; and
1-13 WHEREAS, She left an indelible mark on the area through her
1-14 dedicated service as a member of numerous boards and commissions;
1-15 the chair of the city's beautification committee, she also was an
1-16 esteemed member of the Orange County Parks Advisory Board, the
1-17 Southeast Texas Regional Review Committee, and the board of the
1-18 Texas Association of Regional Councils; and
1-19 WHEREAS, The first woman president of the Southeast Texas
1-20 Regional Planning Commission, she initiated significant reforms in
1-21 several areas vital to the health and prosperity of the region,
1-22 helping to institute 911 emergency service for the tri-county area,
1-23 establishing nutritional food programs for the elderly, and
1-24 developing solid waste and air quality programs that will benefit
2-1 Orange County residents for generations to come; and
2-2 WHEREAS, Mrs. Caffey had earned a name for herself with
2-3 regard to local economic development issues as well and was
2-4 appointed by former Governor Ann Richards to two terms of service
2-5 on the Community Development Block Grant project screening
2-6 committee; and
2-7 WHEREAS, Also well regarded for her commitment to the arts,
2-8 she offered valuable insight as a board member of the Heritage
2-9 House Museum and worked with the Nelda J. and H. J. Lutcher Stark
2-10 Foundation for more than two decades, primarily as a registrar of
2-11 the Stark Museum of Art Collection; and
2-12 WHEREAS, Among the many other organizations to benefit from
2-13 Mrs. Caffey's involvement were the Orange County Easter Seal
2-14 Society, the Orange Community Service Council, the Orange Salvation
2-15 Army, the DuPont Retirees Club, and the Help One Student to Succeed
2-16 program, to name but a few; and
2-17 WHEREAS, In recognition of her outstanding service to her
2-18 community, Mrs. Caffey was honored with the prestigious Athena
2-19 Award by the Orange Chamber of Commerce and inducted into the
2-20 Southeast Texas Women's Hall of Fame; and
2-21 WHEREAS, A woman of great vision and dedication, Anna Jean
2-22 Caffey greatly enhanced the quality of life of her fellow West
2-23 Orange residents, and her vast contributions will continue to have
2-24 a profound effect on the members of that community for generations
2-25 to come; though her special presence will be missed by all who knew
2-26 her, her spirit will surely live on in the hearts of the many
2-27 people whose lives she touched; now, therefore, be it
3-1 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
3-2 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Anna Jean Caffey and
3-3 extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her
3-4 daughters, Susan Free, Billie Busby, and Deborah Doan; to her
3-5 sister, Iola Strickland; to her brother, Billy Nichols; to her
3-6 seven grandchildren; and to her many other friends and relatives;
3-7 and, be it further
3-8 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-9 prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas
3-10 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-11 Anna Jean Caffey.