By Ramsay, Averitt H.R. No. 512 74R8871 WMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The many friends and relatives of M. A. "Catfish" 1-2 Smith were deeply saddened by the passing of this legendary sports 1-3 figure on November 27, 1994; and 1-4 WHEREAS, While attending East Texas State University in the 1-5 1930s, this gifted individual demonstrated exceptional athletic 1-6 ability, achieving outstanding success both as a basketball player 1-7 and as a football player; and 1-8 WHEREAS, He began his storied coaching career at Carey High 1-9 School and twice led the basketball team to the state tournament, 1-10 capturing the state title in the team's second appearance there; 1-11 and 1-12 WHEREAS, An outstanding patriot, Mr. Smith volunteered for 1-13 military service during World War II, and he served ably and 1-14 proudly until a medical condition forced his discharge; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Mr. Smith resumed his coaching career at Mount 1-16 Vernon High School as head coach of both the football and the 1-17 basketball squads and achieved an unprecedented level of success, 1-18 helming his teams to six district titles in football and one state 1-19 and five regional titles in basketball; while at Mount Vernon, he 1-20 earned the distinction of being the only high school coach in Texas 1-21 history to produce undefeated teams in both football and basketball 1-22 in the same academic year; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Returning to his alma mater, he enjoyed a remarkable 1-24 three-year tenure as head football coach at East Texas State 2-1 University, guiding his team to a 29-game winning streak, three 2-2 Lone Star Conference championships, and two appearances in the 2-3 Tangerine Bowl; for his remarkable achievements he was named 2-4 College Coach of the Year by the Texas Sports Writers Association 2-5 in 1958; and 2-6 WHEREAS, He moved to Baylor University in 1959, where he 2-7 coached the freshman football squad until his retirement in 1984; 2-8 Mr. Smith also was highly productive as Baylor athletics promotion 2-9 director and executive director of the Baylor Bears Club; and 2-10 WHEREAS, Reflective of Mr. Smith's truly legendary status as 2-11 a sports figure was his induction into the Texas Sports Hall of 2-12 Fame, the East Texas State Sports Hall of Fame, the Panhandle 2-13 Sports Hall of Fame, and the Texas Association of Basketball 2-14 Coaches Hall of Fame; and 2-15 WHEREAS, Also an active force in the civic arena, he served 2-16 as a Waco city councilman from 1973 through 1977 and was mayor in 2-17 1976; other worthy organizations that benefited from his exemplary 2-18 leadership and wisdom were the Central Texas Zoo board of 2-19 directors, the executive board of CETA, the Heart of Texas Council 2-20 of Governments, the Civil Service Commission, the Contributors 2-21 Review Committee of Greater Waco, and the board of directors of the 2-22 Waco Airport; and 2-23 WHEREAS, A man of rare dedication and determination, M. A. 2-24 "Catfish" Smith will long be remembered by all who were privileged 2-25 to know him; although his inspirational presence is gone from us 2-26 now, his unique spirit will live on in the hearts of the many 2-27 people whose lives were touched by this outstanding individual; 3-1 now, therefore, be it 3-2 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 3-3 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of M. A. "Catfish" Smith 3-4 and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his 3-5 wife, Nell Evans Smith; to his children, Jimmy Smith, Lya McNeill, 3-6 Melissa Flaut, and Jay Scott Evans; and to the many other friends 3-7 and relatives of this beloved gentleman; and, be it further 3-8 RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared 3-9 for the members of his family and that when the Texas House of 3-10 Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of M. A. 3-11 "Catfish" Smith.