H.R. No. 696
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The passing of Frank Bruce Smith on April 17, 1995,
    1-2  at the age of 80, has brought a great loss to the many friends and
    1-3  relatives of this distinguished and public-spirited Texan; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, The son of Dan and Eula Smith, he was born January
    1-5  15, 1915, in Henderson County and earned a bachelor of arts degree
    1-6  from Draughn's Business College in Dallas in 1937; and
    1-7        WHEREAS, A respected rancher and businessman, he served with
    1-8  the Trinity River Authority for 28 years, including terms as
    1-9  chairman of the board, president, and vice president, and he was
   1-10  the only member to be appointed by five Texas governors; and
   1-11        WHEREAS, Mr. Smith was an ardent supporter of several
   1-12  agricultural and ranching  interests, including the Henderson
   1-13  County Fair Board, the Henderson County Agriculture Board, the
   1-14  Southwestern Cattle Raiser's Association, and the Wildlife
   1-15  Preserve, and he continued to positively affect issues vital to the
   1-16  ranching industry through his attendance at Cattleman's conventions
   1-17  throughout the world; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, He was honored for his many outstanding
   1-19  contributions when Texas A&M University used his Big 4 Cattle
   1-20  Company brand on one of its new agriculture buildings; and
   1-21        WHEREAS, This distinguished businessman contributed his time
   1-22  and expertise as an esteemed member of several professional
   1-23  organizations, including the Hard Hat Club, the East Texas
   1-24  Petroleum Landman Association, and the Texas Independent Royalty
    2-1  Owner's Association; and
    2-2        WHEREAS, He further worked toward the betterment of his
    2-3  community as a board member of the First National Bank of Athens
    2-4  and as a member of the Lion's Club; deeply committed to education
    2-5  issues as well, he served with distinction on the Malakoff School
    2-6  Board and on the board of trustees for Trinity Valley Community
    2-7  College; and
    2-8        WHEREAS, Mr. Smith also gave generously of his time, talents,
    2-9  and resources to the benefit of the Henderson County Historical
   2-10  Association, the Henderson County Library, and the East Texas
   2-11  Medical Center; and
   2-12        WHEREAS, The father of two children, he worked tirelessly to
   2-13  enhance the lives of the youths in his community as an active
   2-14  supporter of the Boy Scouts, and he was recognized for his abiding
   2-15  commitment to the area's youngsters with the Optimist Club's Friend
   2-16  of Youth Award; and
   2-17        WHEREAS, Mr. Smith will be remembered as a gentleman who
   2-18  greatly valued the many friendships he had formed throughout the
   2-19  years as a 32nd degree Mason and as a longtime member of Tool
   2-20  Providence Baptist Church; and
   2-21        WHEREAS, A man of great vision, Mr. Smith devoted much of his
   2-22  life to serving the needs of his community; though his special
   2-23  presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him, his unique
   2-24  spirit will surely live on in the hearts of the many people whose
   2-25  lives he touched; now, therefore, be it
   2-26        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-27  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Frank Bruce Smith and
    3-1  extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his
    3-2  beloved wife, Willie Mae Landrum Smith; to his daughters and
    3-3  sons-in-law, Carolyn Sue and Kenneth Davis, and Janice Ann and
    3-4  Ronnie Brown; to his granddaughters, Annsley Carol Brown and Keeley
    3-5  Lauren Brown; and to his many other friends and relatives; and, be
    3-6  it further
    3-7        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
    3-8  prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
    3-9  House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
   3-10  Frank Bruce Smith.