By: Zaffirini, Wentworth S.C.R. No. 12 Armbrister SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens 1-2 of Seguin and citizens across the state in mourning the loss of 1-3 former State Senator John A. Traeger who died December 16, 1994, at 1-4 the age of 73; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Born July 6, 1921, in Wichita Falls, Texas, John 1-6 Traeger had early ties to Seguin where he would often visit his 1-7 grandfather who was a Methodist preacher; he married Bernice 1-8 Vivroux in 1943, and the couple became residents of Seguin in 1945; 1-9 and 1-10 WHEREAS, John Traeger attended Texas Wesleyan College in Fort 1-11 Worth and Texas Lutheran College in Seguin; he served in the United 1-12 States Army Air Corps during World War II and retired as a colonel 1-13 with the Texas National Guard after 34 years of service; and 1-14 WHEREAS, He was elected to the Seguin City Council in 1958, 1-15 to the Texas House of Representatives in 1962, and to the Texas 1-16 Senate in 1972; and 1-17 WHEREAS, During his 14 years of outstanding service in the 1-18 Senate, he served as Chairman of the Intergovernmental Relations 1-19 Committee and as Vice-Chairman of the Administration Committee; he 1-20 retired from the Senate in 1986 with many distinctions; and 1-21 WHEREAS, He also served as Chairman of the State Pension 1-22 Review Board and as a member of the Legislative Budget Board, the 1-23 Texas Legislative Council, the Advisory Commission on 2-1 Intergovernmental Relations, and the Task Force on Indigent Health 2-2 Care; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Highly respected in the community and state for his 2-4 public service and his many accomplishments, John Traeger leaves a 2-5 diverse list of accomplishments that go beyond the border of the 2-6 State of Texas; he was Chairman of the Southern Legislative 2-7 Conference, and his efforts were critical to the establishment of 2-8 the "Super Tuesday" presidential primary in southern states; and 2-9 WHEREAS, A well-known civic leader, he served as President of 2-10 the Seguin and Guadalupe County Chamber of Commerce, President of 2-11 the Seguin Lions Club and the Texas Lutheran College Athletic 2-12 Association, and Exalted Ruler of the Seguin Elks Lodge; and 2-13 WHEREAS, A man of integrity, strength, compassion, and 2-14 generosity, he gave unselfishly of his time to others; Senator 2-15 Traeger was named Texan of the Year in 1986 by the Texas 2-16 Legislative Conference; and 2-17 WHEREAS, Senator Traeger's lasting legacy to his community, 2-18 town, and state is immeasurable; his absence will be felt keenly; 2-19 and 2-20 WHEREAS, John Traeger was a devoted husband and father who 2-21 lived his life to the fullest, and he leaves behind memories that 2-22 will be treasured forever by his family and many friends; now, 2-23 therefore, be it 2-24 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature hereby extend sincere 2-25 condolences to the bereaved family of John A. Traeger: his wife, 3-1 Bernice; and his children, Drew Traeger, Camille Schwab, and Jeanne 3-2 Traeger; and, be it further 3-3 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for the 3-4 members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the 3-5 Texas Legislature, and that when the legislature adjourns this day, 3-6 it do so in memory of the Honorable John A. Traeger.