By Greenberg H.R. No. 781
74R9247 SAJ-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Harriet Olsen Nagel on March 15,
1-2 1995, at the age of 56, has brought a great loss to the many
1-3 friends and relatives of this dedicated and public-spirited Texan;
1-4 and
1-5 WHEREAS, The daughter of Homer and Florence Olsen, she was
1-6 born May 6, 1938, in Austin and earned a degree in journalism from
1-7 The University of Texas at Austin in 1960; and
1-8 WHEREAS, She wed LeRoy F. "Ted" Nagel on November 5, 1960,
1-9 and the happy couple enjoyed a 34-year union that was blessed with
1-10 the births of four cherished children; and
1-11 WHEREAS, The Nagels spent the early years of their marriage
1-12 in Houston, where Mrs. Nagel was well regarded for her work as
1-13 magazine editor for Trunkline Gas Co.; when they returned to Austin
1-14 in 1967, Mrs. Nagel began a fulfilling career as a volunteer that
1-15 spanned nearly three decades; and
1-16 WHEREAS, An avid supporter of the arts, she served on the
1-17 board of Laguna Gloria Art Museum for 18 years and was president of
1-18 the board for nine years; she left an indelible mark on the museum
1-19 as she was involved in every facet of its activities, and she was
1-20 honored for her many years of outstanding service with the Clara
1-21 Driscoll Award; and
1-22 WHEREAS, This remarkable lady was active with the Laguna
1-23 Gloria Women's Art Guild for 28 years and marshalled her wealth of
1-24 organizational skills to chair the museum's annual Fiesta in 1975;
2-1 in recognition of the many significant contributions she made to
2-2 the fine arts community in Austin, the trustees will dedicate the
2-3 main gallery of the Austin Museum of Art at Laguna Gloria in her
2-4 honor; and
2-5 WHEREAS, Mrs. Nagel also will be fondly remembered as a warm
2-6 and gracious lady who greatly enjoyed the fellowship of her Alpha
2-7 Gamma Delta sorority sisters; she generously served her many
2-8 friends as president of the House Association for eight years and
2-9 as alumnae president, and she drew on her journalism skills to
2-10 produce countless newsletters and mailings for the group; and
2-11 WHEREAS, A woman of boundless energy and enthusiasm, she also
2-12 represented the sorority with the Austin Alumnae Panhellenic and
2-13 coordinated the reconstruction of the chapter house after a major
2-14 fire in 1993; her outstanding service earned her the Arc with
2-15 Diamonds and Pearls, one of the highest service awards given to
2-16 alumnae; and
2-17 WHEREAS, Deeply committed to improving the quality of
2-18 education in the community, Mrs. Nagel played an active role in her
2-19 children's schooling and produced newsletters for many school
2-20 organizations over a 20-year period; in addition to harnessing her
2-21 unbridled energies to chair numerous fund-raisers, she also served
2-22 as a Camp Fire leader for eight years and as president of the
2-23 Johnston High School Drill Team Boosters for three years; and
2-24 WHEREAS, Mrs. Nagel continued to work for the betterment of
2-25 her community through her active involvement with the Settlement
2-26 Club, the Austin-Travis County Livestock Show, and the Highlander's
2-27 Dance Club, and she also was a valued member of the Aggie Moms
3-1 Club; and
3-2 WHEREAS, Harriet Olsen Nagel was a dedicated and caring lady
3-3 whose remarkable contributions to the quality of life in Central
3-4 Texas will continue to have a profound effect on the citizens of
3-5 Austin for many years to come; though her special presence will be
3-6 missed by all who knew her, her unique spirit will surely live on
3-7 in the hearts and minds of the many people whose lives she touched;
3-8 now, therefore, be it
3-9 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
3-10 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Harriet Olsen Nagel
3-11 and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her
3-12 beloved husband, Ted Nagel; to her son, L. Fred Nagel III; to her
3-13 daughters and sons-in-law, Jennifer and Robert Berry, Elizabeth and
3-14 K. D. Schwartz, and Laurie Nagel; to Laurie's fiance, Jimmy Zaza;
3-15 to her grandchildren, Emma and Colin Berry; to her parents, Homer
3-16 and Florence Olsen; to her sister, Marilyn O. Potvin; to her
3-17 brother and sister-in-law, Lawrence and Carolyn Olsen; and to her
3-18 many other friends and relatives; and, be it further
3-19 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-20 prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas
3-21 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-22 Harriet Olsen Nagel.