H.R. No. 554
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, Margaret Whitcomb Robertson Moffat has led a life as
1-2 vast as the state she is proud to call home, and it gives the
1-3 members of this chamber great pleasure to honor this remarkable
1-4 woman who, at 86 years young, has not only lived life but has
1-5 embraced it to the fullest; and
1-6 WHEREAS, Ahead of her time in many ways, Mrs. Robertson has
1-7 set a sterling example to which others can aspire and her life has
1-8 profoundly influenced many people, including her devoted
1-9 granddaughter, State Representative Nancy Moffat; and
1-10 WHEREAS, The former Margaret Whitcomb was born to John and
1-11 Medie Whitcomb on December 17, 1908, and enjoyed a happy and
1-12 fulfilling childhood as a cherished member of her close-knit
1-13 family; and
1-14 WHEREAS, She began her studies at Mt. Pleasant School,
1-15 attending this respected facility until 1915 when she transferred
1-16 to Forest Avenue High School in Dallas, where she earned her high
1-17 school diploma; and
1-18 WHEREAS, Mrs. Robertson was a gifted athlete in her youth who
1-19 enjoyed many years of camaraderie and sportsmanship as a
1-20 participant in a number of demanding athletic endeavors; in 1928,
1-21 she played baseball for Morris Menswear and won the city
1-22 championship and, on the heels of that success, she set a world
1-23 record in hop-skip-jump competition and earned second place in the
1-24 long jump event at Moody Stadium on the campus of Southern
2-1 Methodist University; and
2-2 WHEREAS, A worthy ambassador for the Lone Star State,
2-3 Mrs. Robertson achieved further glory in the athletic arena when
2-4 she was chosen to represent the city of Dallas at a national track
2-5 meet held on June 1, 1929, at Soldier Field in Chicago; and
2-6 WHEREAS, Later that same year, this lovely lady celebrated
2-7 another significant event in her life when she was joined in holy
2-8 matrimony to her first husband, Howard Winters Moffat, Jr., on
2-9 November 15, 1929, and their marriage was later blessed by the
2-10 birth of a son, Howard Winters Moffat III; and
2-11 WHEREAS, Mrs. Robertson was employed for a time by Employers'
2-12 Casualty Insurance, who paid her to work in the office by day and
2-13 to play on the company's Golden Cyclones basketball team by night,
2-14 in which capacity she overwhelmed her opponents with the able
2-15 assistance of teammate Babe Didrikson; and
2-16 WHEREAS, This vivacious woman has always loved to be where
2-17 the action is and went on to hold positions with Fair Park during
2-18 the Texas Centennial and later with the Pan American Exposition,
2-19 which is known today as the State Fair of Texas; and
2-20 WHEREAS, Over the course of her full and generous life,
2-21 Mrs. Robertson has witnessed the advent of two World Wars, the
2-22 Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War; during World War II, she was
2-23 employed by the North American Aviation Company and, on Pearl
2-24 Harbor Day, she moved to Tarrant County and settled in the area
2-25 that later became the city of Southlake; and
2-26 WHEREAS, She also has endured personal hardships during her
2-27 lifetime but has always drawn on her strong faith and fortitude to
3-1 carry her through; left a young widow, she again found a companion
3-2 with whom she wanted to share her life and, on October 19, 1956,
3-3 she became the bride of John Wright Robertson; and
3-4 WHEREAS, In the ensuing years, Mrs. Robertson has been filled
3-5 with pride as her loving family has grown to include her
3-6 daughter-in-law, Bette Lou Rogers; her grandchildren, Howard Wayne
3-7 Moffat, State Representative Nancy Moffat, Steven Arlin Moffat, and
3-8 John Gregory Moffat; nine great-grandchildren, Brandee Gaye, Tonya
3-9 Danene, Dedra Dianne, Justin Lauren, Steven Arlin, Mallory Ann,
3-10 Ashley Rae, Margaret Lorene (Laurie), and John Gregory; and her
3-11 great-great-grandson, Zachary Tyler Cobb; and
3-12 WHEREAS, Margaret Whitcomb Robertson Moffat is a beloved
3-13 member of her community and her kindness, warmth, and generosity
3-14 have touched the lives of countless people throughout her lifetime;
3-15 though she was widowed for a second time and has endured three
3-16 cancer surgeries, Mrs. Robertson has remained a person to whom
3-17 people are drawn for her courage to overcome adversity, her zest
3-18 for life, and her lifelong commitment to the welfare of others;
3-19 now, therefore, be it
3-20 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
3-21 Legislature hereby honor Margaret Whitcomb Robertson Moffat for her
3-22 extensive achievements and congratulate her for the loyalty and
3-23 affection she has inspired among all who have been privileged to
3-24 share in her life through the years; and, be it further
3-25 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-26 prepared for Mrs. Robertson as an expression of highest regard by
3-27 the Texas House of Representatives.