H.R. No. 338
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The wedding anniversary of two outstanding Texans
1-2 who have shared 50 happy and fulfilling years of marriage is truly
1-3 a momentous event worthy of special recognition; and
1-4 WHEREAS, On February 4, 1995, Roby and Nathaniel Sanders of
1-5 San Antonio commemorated one such special event in their lives when
1-6 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary by renewing their
1-7 marriage vows before their friends, children, and grandchildren;
1-8 the ceremony, held at Bethel A.M.E. Church, was followed by a
1-9 delightful reception at the Fort Sam Houston Officers Club, where
1-10 friends and family gathered to reflect on the couple's past and
1-11 look forward to their future; and
1-12 WHEREAS, Sergeant and Mrs. Sanders first met in Birmingham,
1-13 Alabama, in 1941, when they attended the wedding of mutual friends;
1-14 they immediately struck up a friendship, and later a courtship, but
1-15 found it difficult to see each other since they lived on opposite
1-16 ends of town; and
1-17 WHEREAS, The distance between them grew when Mr. Sanders
1-18 answered his country's call to arms during World War II, joining
1-19 the Army Air Corps, while his wife-to-be pursued her education as a
1-20 student at Miles College; during this time, the couple continued
1-21 their long-distance romance by writing letters and counting the
1-22 days until Mr. Sanders' next military leave; and
1-23 WHEREAS, This remarkable couple was united in holy matrimony
1-24 on January 28, 1945, at a small ceremony held in the home of the
2-1 bride's parents and performed by the Reverend F. D. Mayweather;
2-2 following the service, the newlyweds celebrated their special day
2-3 with friends and family, partaking of homemade cake and ice cream;
2-4 and
2-5 WHEREAS, This simple and charming start to their marriage
2-6 quickly gave way to a whirlwind life of international
2-7 globetrotting; Sergeant Sanders embarked on a postwar career in the
2-8 United States Air Force, while his wife successfully endured the
2-9 chaos of military life on the move, building a loving and stable
2-10 home in which the couple raised two beloved daughters, Jo Nell and
2-11 Cather; and
2-12 WHEREAS, Later in their marriage, Mrs. Sanders joined the
2-13 staff at Lackland Independent School District, while her husband
2-14 entered the civilian workforce as an employee with the United
2-15 Services Automobile Association; and
2-16 WHEREAS, Following their retirement from the world of work,
2-17 Sergeant and Mrs. Sanders have enjoyed traveling together, going on
2-18 fishing trips, and maintaining their lovely garden; they also take
2-19 immense pride in their two granddaughters, Michelle and Dyanna; and
2-20 WHEREAS, Since exchanging their vows half a century ago, this
2-21 devoted couple has enjoyed an enduring relationship that has grown
2-22 in love and mutual respect with each passing year, and Sergeant and
2-23 Mrs. Sanders remain a source of delight and inspiration to the
2-24 friends with whom they have shared the richness of their life
2-25 together; and
2-26 WHEREAS, Still looking forward to each day with the same
2-27 enthusiasm and sense of adventure that first sparked their romance,
3-1 Sergeant and Mrs. Sanders are deservedly enjoying the benefits of
3-2 their 50-year union with great joy and happiness; they are indeed
3-3 worthy of the highest praise and recognition as they celebrate this
3-4 significant milestone in their marriage; now, therefore, be it
3-5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
3-6 Legislature hereby congratulate Roby and Nathaniel Sanders on the
3-7 joyous occasion of their golden wedding anniversary and extend
3-8 warmest best wishes for many more years of continued happiness;
3-9 and, be it further
3-10 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-11 prepared for Sergeant and Mrs. Sanders as an expression of highest
3-12 regard by the Texas House of Representatives.