H.R. No. 414
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The passing of G. M. Blackman on November 11, 1994,
    1-2  at the age of 87, has brought a great loss to the family and many
    1-3  friends of this distinguished Bastrop educator and civic leader;
    1-4  and
    1-5        WHEREAS, A native Texan, Mr. Blackman was an outstanding
    1-6  all-around athlete who played football, basketball, and baseball
    1-7  for Southwest Texas State University before his graduation in 1929,
    1-8  and he parlayed his love and enthusiasm for sports into a highly
    1-9  successful coaching career as well; his dedication and skill later
   1-10  earned him places in both the Southwest Texas State University Hall
   1-11  of Honor and the Texas Coaches Hall of Honor; and
   1-12        WHEREAS, His remarkable educational career began in Brazoria
   1-13  County with the Damon Independent School District; in the 56 years
   1-14  that followed, Mr. Blackman touched the lives of countless young
   1-15  people by serving as a teacher, coach, and administrator at several
   1-16  different school districts; and
   1-17        WHEREAS, When he became superintendent of the Smithville
   1-18  Independent School District in 1960, the district was facing a time
   1-19  of remarkable change, and Mr. Blackman's wise leadership guided
   1-20  students, teachers, and parents alike through a difficult era; an
   1-21  increase in enrollment brought the district from 1A status to 2A
   1-22  status, and Mr. Blackman was instrumental in passing a bond issue
   1-23  to fund expansion of the district's facilities; and
   1-24        WHEREAS, During this time, Mr. Blackman also supervised the
    2-1  integration of the Smithville schools and instigated one of the
    2-2  nation's first Head Start programs; in order to bring this
    2-3  innovative children's service to his district, Mr. Blackman drew
    2-4  upon his friendship with one of his college classmates, President
    2-5  Lyndon B. Johnson, who had served as best man at Mr. Blackman's
    2-6  wedding to his beloved wife Mazie; and
    2-7        WHEREAS, He came to the Bastrop Independent School District
    2-8  as director of federal programs in 1970, and he continued to serve
    2-9  that district even after his announced retirement in 1985; in
   2-10  addition to working in the pressbox during football games and track
   2-11  meets, the man known by students and parents alike as "Mr. B"
   2-12  could be found in the stands at every Lady Bears basketball game,
   2-13  whether it was played at home or on the road; and
   2-14        WHEREAS, Both as a coach and as an administrator,
   2-15  Mr. Blackman was a staunch supporter of female athletics, and his
   2-16  efforts on their behalf led to substantial changes in girls'
   2-17  athletic programs in the state; he led the successful movement that
   2-18  compelled the University Interscholastic League to officially
   2-19  recognize girls' basketball as a competitive sport in 1949, and he
   2-20  also proposed legislation that changed the sport from a half-court
   2-21  game to the full-court game played today; and
   2-22        WHEREAS, Known and admired throughout Bastrop County as a
   2-23  tireless civic leader, Mr. Blackman was an active member of the
   2-24  First United Methodist Church, the Lions Club, and the local
   2-25  chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons; he was also
   2-26  an influential leader with the Boy Scouts of America and led
   2-27  efforts to establish the Senior Citizens' Center in Bastrop; and
    3-1        WHEREAS, Few people have the privilege of leaving a profound
    3-2  mark on the world around them, but G. M. Blackman has left a legacy
    3-3  of public service and leadership that will endure for many
    3-4  generations to come; although his special presence will be missed
    3-5  by all who knew him, the enormity of his contributions to the
    3-6  Bastrop community, and to the State of Texas, will never be
    3-7  forgotten; now, therefore, be it
    3-8        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
    3-9  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of G. M. Blackman and
   3-10  extend sincere condolences to the members of his family:  to his
   3-11  daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Mike Harris; to his grandson,
   3-12  Micah Harris; and to all the friends and relatives of this
   3-13  remarkable gentleman; and, be it further
   3-14        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   3-15  prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
   3-16  Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of G. M.
   3-17  Blackman.