By Saunders H.R. No. 414
74R7311 BNL-D
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.