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.